This is a report conducted by Buckeye Hills Regional Council, a council of governments dedicated to improving the lives of residents in Southeast Ohio.

 

Southeast Ohio’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $24,677,808 in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts and Buckeye Hills Regional Council, with support from the Ohio Arts Council and U.S. Economic Development Administration. That economic activity–$12,209,889 in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and $12,467,919 in event-related spending by their audiences supported 452 jobs and generated $3,417,338 in local, state, and federal government revenue. This spending by arts and culture audiences generates valuable commerce for local merchants.

Building on its 30-year legacy as the largest and most inclusive study of its kind, AEP6 uses a rigorous methodology to document the economic and social contributions of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. The study demonstrates, locally as well as nationally, the value of arts and culture as economic drivers of vibrant communities.

Southeast Ohio communities have made considerable investments in recent years to renovate historic theatres and sustain their local museums and cultural institutions. The Arts & Economic Prosperity Study shows that these investments are providing a substantial annual return for these communities and contributing to the rich cultural fabric of the state’s Appalachian region.

Nationally, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study reveals that America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry—one that supports 2.6 million jobs and generates $29.1 billion in government revenue.

Buckeye Hills Regional Council worked with 45 arts and culture organizations that serve audiences across Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties to gather data and audience surveys and economic data for the study.

 

 

The audition for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of BEAUTY LOU AND THE COUNTRY BEAST will be held on Monday, June 26, at 10:00 am inside the historic Peoples Bank Theatre at 222 Putnam Street in Marietta. 

There are roles for those students entering first grade through twelfth grade. Approximately 50-60 local students will be cast to appear in the show with the MCT Tour Actor/Director. Up to four students will be cast as Assistant Directors. There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play. 

Students wishing to audition must arrive by the scheduled starting time and stay for the entire two-hour session. The first rehearsal begins approximately 15 minutes after the audition.

This is a group audition, so no advance preparation is necessary (but a smile never hurts!). Students should just be ready to come and have a good time! 

The rehearsal schedule inside the Peoples Bank Theatre auditorium is as follows:

• This first rehearsal will take place Monday, June 26, from 12:15 pm through 2:15 pm.
• Tuesday through Thursday, rehearsals will take place from 10:00 am to 2:15 pm, with a 15-minute break at noon.
• The Friday dress rehearsal will take place from 10:00 am to 2:15 pm, with a 15-minute break at 1:00 pm. The cast will need to return to the theatre approximately 60 to 90 minutes before the 7:00 pm showtime to get into full makeup and costume.

Although not all cast members will be needed at every session, those auditioning must have a clear schedule for the entire week and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role and be available for all scheduled performances. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the audition. Cast members scheduled for the full 4 hours and 15 minutes will be asked to bring a sack lunch, dinner, or snack to be eaten during the 15-minute break between sessions. 

The performance will be held on Friday, June 30, at 7:00 pm and will be presented at Peoples Bank Theatre.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is a non-profit organization based in Missoula, Montana. This coming year more than 65,000 cast members across the globe will take to the stage to the delight and applause of their families, friends, community, neighbors, and teachers! The residency in Marietta is made possible in part by Marietta Community Foundation.

For any questions, please contact Peoples Bank Theatre’s administrative office at 740-373-0894.

Visit the Missoula Children’s Theatre: Beauty Lou and the Country Beast event page to learn more about the production and order tickets.

 

June 13 marks the kickoff of Peoples Bank Theatre’s Sensory Friendly Film Series. The series, which is made possible through the generous support of the Marietta Welfare League and the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities, features family films shown in an environment designed to accommodate neurodivergent children and their families.

The sound, lighting levels, and other aspects of traditional movie theaters can be overwhelming for those with autism and sensory processing issues. For Sensory Friendly Film Series events, Peoples Bank Theatre will make the following accommodations:  

• House lights left on low (25% to 50%)
• Sound turned down (so it is not overstimulating)
• No advertisements or trailers at the beginning of the movie
• Disabled access to the theatre
• Audience capacity is limited to 300 patrons
• Audience members are free to stand, dance, and sing along as long as there are no safety concerns
• A chill-out zone located in The Stage Door will be available for attendees who need to take a break
• Staff and volunteers have been trained in autism and SPD understanding

We hope these adjusted cinematic experiences will help foster improved inclusiveness both within our venue and the community at large.

 

There are three Sensory Friendly Film Series events scheduled at this time, which are:

Lilo & Stitch
Tuesday, June 13, at 6:00 PM
Runtime 85 minutes. Rated PG. Released June 2002.
Order Lilo & Stitch Tickets

Sonic the Hedgehog
Tuesday, July 11, at 6:00 PM
Runtime 99 minutes. Rated PG. Released January 2020.
Order Sonic the Hedgehog Tickets

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Tuesday, August 8, at 6:00 PM
Runtime 102 minutes. Rated PG. Released December 2022.
Order Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Tickets

 

Each Sensory Friendly Film Series event is free to attend, with general admission seating available to allow audience members to sit where they are comfortable within the theatre auditorium. Tickets are required for entry and are available on the Peoples Bank Theatre website and by calling the Box Office at 740-371-5152.

Print-at-home tickets are available for these events to simplify obtaining tickets and attending the film showings. Attendees may also pick up their tickets at the Box Office inside the Stage Door at 224 Putnam Street in Marietta. The Box Office hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, as well as two hours before showtime. It is closed at lunch daily from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

 

Peoples Bank Theatre is pleased to announce it has received a Central Appalachia Living Traditions (CALT): Folk and Traditional Arts Experiences Grant totaling $10,000. This inaugural grant provided by Mid Atlantic Arts is part of a multi-year project designed to promote the understanding and recognition of folk arts and culture in Central Appalachia. Its three program areas, Folk and Traditional Arts Experiences, Folk Arts and Culture Community Anchors Initiative, and Recognizing Folk Arts and Culture Champions, are intended to stabilize local venues, create greater connectivity among organization and community leaders, increase the visibility of folk arts and culture, and facilitate the transmission of artistic skills and cultural knowledge.

A total of 16 organizations and individual artists/practitioners in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia were selected through a panel process to receive more than $136,000 in total funds. Traditions highlighted in the recipients’ funded projects include Appalachian blues, folk, and old-time music, basket making, instrument building, woodworking, quilting, weaving and spinning, gender-free square dancing, the expressive culture of Latinx communities in Southern Ohio, and diverse gardening and foodways traditions represented in the Appalachian region.

Peoples Bank Theatre will use its Central Appalachia Living Traditions (CALT): Folk and Traditional Arts Experiences Grant funds to cultivate programming to showcase Appalachian music, to be held at its Stage Door location at 224 Putnam Street in Marietta, with the assistance of Talent Buyer Todd Burge and other area musicians.

The Peoples Bank Theatre is a 944-seat historic theatre located in downtown Marietta, Ohio. It was built as the Hippodrome in 1919 and renamed the Colony Theatre in 1949. Closed in 1985, the Peoples Bank Theatre was fully restored in 2016 and now puts on over 100 events for more than 30,000 patrons a year.

About Mid Atlantic Arts
Mid Atlantic Arts nurtures and funds the creation and presentation of diverse artistic expression and connects people to meaningful arts experiences within our region and beyond. Created in 1979, Mid Atlantic Arts is a private non-profit organization that is closely allied with the region’s state arts councils and the National Endowment for the Arts. It combines funding from state and federal resources with private support from corporations, foundations, and individuals to address needs in the arts from a regional, national, and international perspective. To learn more about Mid Atlantic Arts, its programs, and services, visit www.midatlanticarts.org.

A note from our Executive Director:

Because of ticket scammers, we are back to traditional tickets!

Unfortunately, ticket scamming is still alive and well in the entertainment industry. There is nothing that disturbs us more than hearing about a ticket buyer that has been duped by an online ticket seller. We often hear of someone paying three times our regular price, and if that person is lucky, they actually do have a seat. Unfortunately, many others experience outright fraud, in which a seat is sold twice and is already occupied by the time a duped buyer arrives. It is doubly painful to hear that it was someone’s first time buying a ticket to our theatre and that they traveled a considerable distance to get here. Upon arrival, they find out they have been taken for over $600, and their evening is ruined.

In an effort to combat this problem, we are going back to all traditional tickets as we announce new shows, starting with Best of the Eagles on November 4 and Blue Öyster Cult on November 18. From now on, when you purchase tickets for our events, you will need to come into the box office to pick up traditional printed tickets. We realize this is an inconvenience for many of our patrons. But, when comparing this to the loss of hundreds of dollars and an entire evening out with family or friends, we hope everyone can be patient with us.

Please encourage everyone you know to make sure they purchase tickets only from our website, www.peoplesbanktheatre.com. Resist going to other websites you find from Google search results. Red flags raised by fraudulent sellers include high processing fees, the lack of a seat number (many fraudsters simply list the row), and the absence of our logo on any webpage. 

If you’re unsure whether you’ve ordered from our official website, or if something feels “off” about a ticket transaction, please alert our box office. Our staffers will be able to verify that your tickets are legitimate, or advise you if they are not. We want to ensure you have a fantastic evening at our venue without being disappointed by fraud.

Enjoy the show!

Hunt Brawley
Executive Director

  

Please note that the Esbenshade Series’ Tesla String Quartet concert will take place at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 13, at the First Congregational Church at 318 Front Street in Marietta. This free event will not require tickets for admission. Masks are mandatory to attend.

Follow the Esbenshade Series at Marietta College’s Facebook page for more updates.

Memorial Service, Alice Ely Chapman and Leroy Chapman

A public memorial service for Alice Ely Chapman, founder and director of the Ely Chapman Education Center of Marietta, and her husband Leroy Chapman, will be held at the Peoples Bank Theater, 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Alice passed away on December 30, 2020, at Marietta Memorial Hospital from COVID-19, six weeks after losing Leroy to heart disease. She was born on June 9, 1944, in New Haven, CT, to John Ingraham Ely and Harriet Jackson Ely. Alice grew up in New Haven and spent her summers at the family home on Long Island, NY. As a child, she was privileged to travel with her family to England and France, once sailing on the Queen Mary.

Alice attended an all-girls boarding school at Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT, before it was merged with Choate School for Boys in 1971. Following graduation, she attended Bryn Mawr College, near Philadelphia, PA, and graduated in 1966 as a music major with a specialty as a flutist. She later earned a Master’s in Communication Studies from the University of Oklahoma.

In 1962 she attended the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts, near Paris, where she studied under renowned music educator Juliette Nadia Boulanger, whose students also include Aaron Copland, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach and hundreds of successful composers, conductors and musicians. She remained a devotee of classical music throughout her life.

It was in Fontainebleau that she met a young American soldier, Leroy Chapman, who was serving in the US Army Signal Corps. She attempted to impress him as a British girl with a passable English accent; Lee answered with a signature “Faith and b’glory, it’s a bloody limey” in his fake Irish accent, after which shins were kicked and true love was established. They married in Philadelphia on April 16, 1966.

While in Philadelphia, they raised their two sons, John and Ted, both active in the Boy Scouts. Alice settled in as a Den Mother and sponsored trips for local scouts to Cherokee, North Carolina and Disney World.

As her sons enrolled in the William Penn Charter School, Alice became a volunteer at the PTA store, where she managed school spirit merchandise while taking control of book and academic purchasing. As she was in line to become school Business Manager, she and Lee moved their family to Ohio in 1997.

Alice was an educator and traveler. She and Lee took their sons to all 50 states to underscore the breadth and diversity of the United States. Their travels also took them to Japan, Costa Rica, Canada, Alaska, France, Russia, Hong Kong, mainland China and the Great Wall.

Alice made a significant and sustainable contribution to the children of the Marietta area when she established the Ely Chapman Education Foundation in 1999. Upon moving to Marietta, she recognized a need for supplemental assistance, tutoring and mentorship of primary school students outside of normal school hours and during summer vacations. Working with various local and state agencies, school districts and philanthropic institutions, Alice crafted the structure for a working relationship with schools and local teachers, administrators and childcare providers that continues to this day. Originally working with the Marietta College McDonough Leadership Program, Alice organized annual free book giveaways that became a staple of the Ely Chapman experience.

Her commitment to education, especially to those with special needs, was underscored by her passion for giving children an encouraging environment for learning through after-class tutoring, book giveaways, arts programs and social experiences, including outings and field trips. She was an expert at giving hugs to children on tough days and high fives on good days.

Alice and Lee were local fixtures as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at Ely Chapman functions and throughout Marietta.

Although she did not seek recognition, she was known locally and throughout America as a selfless and generous advocate for the kind of child enrichment she enjoyed as a young girl. A true Renaissance woman and an example to children and adults alike, she was presented with the prestigious Richard Cornuelle Award for Social Entrepreneurship by the Manhattan Institute in 2014.  She was named the Gabe Zide Citizen of the Year by the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010.

Alice was a member of the Marietta Rotary Club, where she remained active in literacy and scholarship programs, eventually establishing the annual Ted Chapman Scholarships in honor of her late son.

Alice was preceded in death by her beloved husband Leroy R. Chapman, on November 19, 2020, son George Edward (Ted) Chapman, on September 15, 2014, and brother Richard Ely. She is survived by her son John Martin Chapman (Julia Kay) of Seattle, WA, granddaughters Kyra and Autumn Kay Chapman, sisters Harriet Griesinger, Nancy Kales, Marry Brennan, Jane Pearce, and her brother Robert Moulton-Ely.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ely Chapman Education Foundation fund at the Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam Street, PO Box 77, Marietta, OH 45750, or to the Marietta Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1138, Marietta, OH 45740.

Dear Friends,It was always such a joy to experience live entertainment at the Peoples Bank Theatre, and we certainly miss you and everyone that has helped make the theatre such an exciting destination. Unfortunately, the impact of COVID-19 continues to extend our period of darkness.As you might know, we were successful at reaching our $100,000 goal during our 100 Days Campaign that ended August 1. We thought we’d be open by now, but now our nonprofit theatre is facing a challenge that is much more ominous, as this will take longer than we once thought.

We still have a total debt of $1 million in restoration and COVID-19 relief loans, as well as all the other expenses it takes to maintain a large facility. You might not realize—it takes $25,000 a month for us just to sit dark!

We have cut every cost we can, furloughed 90% of our staff, and have volunteers performing everything from building maintenance and patron communication to social media. These expenses are threatening the future of your theatre. We have an immediate need to raise 2 million dollars—and secure our future.

We understand that the coronavirus has made life difficult for everyone, but if you wish to secure the future, YOUR FUTURE AT THE THEATRE, and can help with a financial gift, we need your contribution NOW.

We sure miss seeing you at the Peoples Bank Theatre, and we are looking forward to the day when we can all gather again and experience the amazing live shows that we have rescheduled for you including: REO Speedwagon, Clint Black, Bill Engvall, Kansas, Mountain Stage, Esbenshade Series, Dancing with the Docs, and so much more. Remember: Save your tickets; we are saving your seat!

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Sincerely,
Hunt Brawley, J.D., Executive Director, Todd Burge, Talent Buyer, Dan Harrison, President, Dave Tenney, Treasurer, Tammy Cinalli, Secretary, Jerry Brock, Dan Bryant, Misty Crosby, Geoff Coward, Tatum Parmer, Jenny Powers, Jill Ruff, Brad Smith, Sarah Drake, Matt Evans, Jennifer Garrison, Stephen Hussey, LeeAnn Johnson, Christy Minard, Ken Morrison, Geoff Schenkel, LeeAndra White Smith, Jim Vuksic, Bernita Watson, Shelly Windeler, Paul Zecchi, Dan Stephan, Sr. emeritus

       

Choose the level of your tax-deductible contribution to the Ticket to Your Future Capital Campaign:

• Distinguished Participant  – $100 – $999 Click here
• Distinguished Supporter  – $1,000 – $4,999 Click here
• Distinguished Booster  – $5,000 – $9,999 Click here
• Legacy Patron (major theatre naming opportunities) $10,000 – $400,000 Click here
• Other Gift $________________

By Phone: 740-373-0894

or

Mail your check to:
The Peoples Bank Theatre 224 Putnam Street, Marietta OH 45750
Make your check out to Peoples Bank Theatre

Thank you!

Donating online is fast, easy and secure!

This year, Manhattan Short received 1250 entries from 70 countries from which 10 finalists were selected. These 10 short films will screen more than 1000 times in over 400 cities on six continents! The judges of these films are you, the audience. On entry to each venue, you will be handed a ballot card that allows you to vote for the best short film and actor. Your vote will then be sent to Manhattan Short’s headquarters, and the winner will be announced at ManhattanShort.com on Monday, October 7 at 10 am EST.

 

NEFTA Football Club

Director: Yves Piat

Country: France

Running Time: 17:00

Synopsis: In Tunisia, two football-loving, young brothers find a donkey lost in the middle of the desert on the boarder with Algeria. But why is the animal wearing headphones over its ears?

 

Debris

Director: Julio Ramos

Country: USA

Running Time: 14:00

Synopsis: After a disastrous event on his construction site, Armando acts quickly to save his crew, but instead stumbles upon an unspeakable truth. Debris is an intense and visceral glimpse of the grim world of human labor trafficking.

 

Driving Lessons

Directed by: Marziyeh Riahi

Country: Iran

Time: 12:48

Synopsis: Local laws say Bahareh’s husband must accompany her to driving lessons so she and her instructor will not be alone, a task made more complicated when the two men don’t get along.

 

Tipped

Directed by: Alysse Leite-Rogers

Country: Canada

Time: 13:48

Synopsis: A waitress at an upscale restaurant reaches her tipping point with a table of difficult customers and concocts a special dish of revenge.

 

Sylvia

Directed by: Richard Prendergast

Country: United Kingdom

Time: 16:53

Synopsis: Our love affair with the automobile means that a car can feel like it is part of the family. Sometimes it’s more than that.

 

The Match

Directed by: Pia Andell

Country: Finland

Time: 15:38

Synopsis: Two middle-aged women turn a friendly game of tennis into an intense competition but stand united at the end of the match when they discover one thing in common.

 

This Time Away

Directed by: Magali Barbe

Country: United Kingdom

Time: 14:00

Synopsis: An elderly man lives as a recluse, haunted by his past and memory of the family he once had, until a non-human visitor arrives and disrupts his isolation.

 

Malou

Directed by: Adi Wojaczek

Country: Germany

Time: 14:00

Synopsis: Rejected by a famed dance school, Malou gets a chance to prove that she’s destined for a career as a dancer despite the odds seemingly stacked against her.

 

A Family Affair

Directed by: Florence Keith-Roach

Country: United Kingdom

Time: 13:08

Synopsis: When Annabelle wakes up alone in a stranger’s bedroom on her 30th birthday, she thinks the day cannot get any worse. But then Bernard walks in and he is not the man of her dreams.

 

At The End Of The World

Directed by: Fon Davis

Country: USA

Time: 13:08

Synopsis: In an apocalyptic future, a lonely government worker finds solace with a soldier during the last World War. But their future together is threatened when the soldier is sent back into battle.

 

Get your tickets now or check out ManhattanShort.com for more information.