The Hippodrome/Colony Historical Theatre Association and Peoples Bank Theatre are honored to be among this year’s recipients of Dominion East Ohio’s Community Impact Awards.

Dominion East Ohio has presented $110,000 in grants to 12 winning community organizations in its 22nd annual Community Impact Awards competition, co-sponsored with ClevelandMagazine.

A panel of community judges chose the winners from among more than 70 entries, submitted by organizations throughout the region. The award recognizes organizations that have made an impact in the community. The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion East Ohio’s parent company, Dominion Resources Inc., funds the Community Impact grants. The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities the company serves.

“For more than two decades, our Community Impact Awards have honored area community and non-profit organizations and projects, which have made significant positive impacts upon their respective communities, ” said Jeff Murphy, Dominion East Ohio vice president and general manager. “This year’s winning projects certainly have lived up to those historical standards of excellence and community service.”

Since 1996, Dominion East Ohio has distributed more than $1.7 million in Community Impact Awards to organizations throughout its service area. This year’s Community Impact Award winners are:

• The Gordon Square Arts District of Cleveland received $12,500 for its support of Cleveland Hustles, a reality cable television show broadcast nationally on CNBC. The program featured local entrepreneurs competing to secure investment from area investors. As a result of the program, produced by Cleveland Cavaliers basketball star LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s Springhill Entertainment, three businesses opened up storefronts in the neighborhood, generating $1 million in investment and creating 45 new jobs.
• The Hattie Larlham Foundation received $12,500 for its Hattie’s Food Hub program in Akron’s Cedar-Douglas neighborhood. The program, located on a 4,400-square-foot space built on a once vacant lot, provides a venue for local residents to purchase affordable produce and dairy products from the local farmers. Hattie’s Hub employs 21 people with developmental disabilities, who receive training to wash, prepare, package and market produce and other healthy foods.
• Coleman Professional Services of Kent received a $10,000 Special Workforce Development Impact Award grant for its Coleman Data Solutions’ Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities initiative. The program is a model for demonstrating that people with disabilities can become valuable assets in the workplace, if given the right support and training. Coleman Data Solution, founded as a non-profit organization in 1987, is dedicated to employing people with disabilities, as 75 percent of current workers are individuals with disabilities.
• Cleveland’s St. Clair Superior Development Corporation received $10,000 for its Upcycle Parts Shop project, which collects and transforms donated materials, such as vinyl floor samples, leather, and rolls of canvas, yarn and fabric scraps and sells them as supplies for area artists. The program already has collected more than 12,700 pounds of supplies from more than 200 donors. Resulting projects, such as benches built from recycled pallets, are helping to revitalized one of the city’s most historic and diverse neighborhoods.
• The Friends of Max Hayes of Cleveland received $10,000 for its program that helps provide high school students real-world work experience that can lead to full-time jobs after graduation. The program includes plant tours, job shadows and internships at member employers. Teachers also participate in externships with member companies, aligning with the school career pathways.
• Marietta’s Hippodrome/Colony Historical Theatre Association received $10,000 for its Peoples Bank Theatre Restoration project, which transformed a vacant 1919-vintage entertainment center. The $7.5 million project, which opened in January 2016, regularly hosts touring theater productions, comedy shows and movie screenings, attracting new tourism and entertainment dollars to downtown Marietta. Peoples Bank Theatre also works closely with nearby Marietta College.
• The Up Side of Downs of Northeast Ohio received $10,000 for its new Artful 21 facility in Independence, which includes a retail store, featuring the work of local artisans with Down syndrome. The store, which showcases the work of 13 local artisans, employs two staff members with Down syndrome, who are trained in all aspects of retail, including sales, stocking and customer service.
• Youth Opportunities Unlimited of Cleveland received $10,000 for its Pathways program, which offers workforce training sills to youth, ages 14 to 24, living in economically distressed communities. For example, during the 2015-16 academic year, Pathways provided internships for 102 Cuyahoga County teens with 37 different employers.
• The Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation received $7,500 for its Cleveland Summer Cinema program, which attracts thousands of summer visitors to the neighborhood. The weekly programs feature a movie screening on the lawn of a neighborhood Cleveland Metropolitan School District campus, along with local food truck vendors. The program, which began in 2015, has grown to include a local farmers’ market and educational presentations.
• The Famicos Foundation of Cleveland received $7,500 for its Famicos Cares legal assistance program. Famicos’ Community Access to Resolution and Expungement Services (CARES) helps those whose lives and livelihoods have been suspended because of correctible legal issues. The program helps area residents free legal assistance in matters of clemency, and record sealing, low-level criminal defense, license suspensions, drafting wills, housing and probate matters and defending civil or credit-related claims. In the past three years CARES has helped more than 500 people.
• The Summit County Historical Society of Akron received $5,000 for its Sheep Return to Historic Mutton Hill program. The Society contracted with an area sheep farmer to bring a herd of sheep to graze on the grounds of the Perkins Stone Farm, recreating the 1840s era when the property once housed a flock of up to 1,500 sheep. The helped increased Perkins Stone Mansion tour and property visits by 50 percent and more than 1,750 people attended such related free events as herding, fiber art, wool-spinning demonstrations and children’s craft activities.
• The Allen Economic Development Group of Lima received $5,000 for MakerFest 2016 initiative, a three-day career expo for jobs in manufacturing, health care, skilled trades and service industries. The event attracted five colleges and universities, 75 employers and 1,300 high school students from 28 schools. The program also includes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competitions and breakout sessions. For example, the four winners of a welding competition, all females, reportedly received job offers upon graduation, in a historically male-oriented career field.

About Dominion

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 26,400 megawatts of generation, 15,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,600 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation’s largest natural gas storage systems with 1 trillion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves more than 6 million utility and retail energy customers. For more information about Dominion, visit the company’s website at www.dom.com.

The judges have spoken! The Colony Short Film Festival is pleased to announce its official selections for 2017. The Eleventh Annual Colony Short Film Festival will take place at the historic Peoples Bank Theatre in downtown Marietta, Ohio, March 2–4.

The Bouquet
( Belgium )
10:27
Directed by Julien Segard, Romain Carciofo
Written by Julien Segard, David Brenot
Produced by Cédric Delannoy, Pierre-Yves Bronsart, Antoine Levi, Jesse Salto, Louie Salto, Jacques Ballard

Mayfield
( United States )
19:30
Directed by Zach Daulton
Written by Zach Daulton
Produced by Zach Daulton, John Adrian Riley

Don’t Think About It
( United States )
12:12
Directed by Niv Klainer
Written by Niv Klainer
Produced by Victoria Aleksanyan, Jessica Caldwell

About the Boy who ate an Oakwood Chair
( Belgium )
28:07
Directed by Pieter Goethals
Written by Pieter Goethals
Produced by Pieter Goethals, Jimi Abidts

Murky Water
( United States )
08:20
Directed by Carl T. Rogers
Written by Carl T. Rogers
Produced by Alex White

Hope
( Switzerland )
06:02
Directed by Michael Scherrer
Written by
Produced by Samuel Scherrer

Four Day Weekend
( United States )
19:56
Directed by Nicole Jones
Written by Nicole Jones
Produced by Dan Asma, Nicole Jones, Jesse McClung

Pangaea
( United States )
06:12
Directed by Olivia Peace
Written by Olivia Peace
Produced by Ethan Senser

Destroy Madrid
( Spain )
09:29
Directed by Joseba Alfaro
Written by Joseba Alfaro
Produced by Joseba Alfaro

Pushing Buttons
( United States )
15:41
Directed by John Kerfoot
Written by John Kerfoot
Produced by John Kerfoot

Dads
( United States )
11:00
Directed by Ethan Roberts
Written by Ethan Roberts

Gardening At Night
( United States )
12:19
Directed by Shayna Connelly
Written by Shayna Connelly
Produced by Wendy Roderweiss

Father
( Canada )
09:13
Directed by Lella Satie
Written by Lella Satie
Produced by Alona Metzer

Entropy
( United States )
03:31
Directed by Mark Gerstein
Written by Mark Gerstein

In The Thicket – The Tony Bosco Story
( United States )
24:19
Directed by Nick Czerula
Produced by

Lonely Kingdom
( Japan )
20:00
Directed by Thom Southerland
Produced by Naomi Uechi, Thom Southerland

Agrinoui
( Cyprus )
19:40
Directed by Alexis Chaviaras
Written by Alexis Chaviaras, Christiana Vasiliou
Produced by A. CHAVIARAS PRODUCTIONS LTD.

State Inspection
( United States )
07:37
Directed by David Smith
Written by David Smith
Produced by Justin Litton, Ben Berry

Drew Gets It!
( United States )
20:30
Directed by Konrad Norris, Bryce Norris
Written by Katherine Leurck, David Leurck
Produced by Drew’s Rainbows Foundation, Inc.

Heather’s Painting
( United States )
15:05
Directed by Freddie Connor
Written by Freddie Connor
Produced by Freddie Connor

Hearts of Steel
( Canada )
20:51
Directed by Gayle Wilmot
Written by Gayle Wilmot
Produced by Gayle Wilmot, Kim Davidson

Invasion
( United States )
05:52
Directed by Ryan Murphy
Written by Ryan murphy

Isolamento
( Canada )
05:23
Directed by Carmelo Zucco
Written by Carmelo Zucco
Produced by Carmelo Zucco

The Kings
( United States )
16:20
Directed by Max Romanowski
Written by Austin Yoder
Produced by Ryan Avery

Infidel
( United States )
09:29
Directed by Carey Kight
Written by Carey Kight
Produced by Carey Kight, Nikhil Shukla, Tim Simek

Aftermath
( United States )
07:12
Directed by John Cantine
Written by John Cantine
Produced by John Cantine

In addition to our official selections, the Colony Short Film Festival will feature a collection of seven award-winning short films from Another Kind of Girl Collective, a group of Syrian teenage girls living in Jordan’s Za’atari Refugee Camp, documenting their everyday lives, on Thursday, March 2 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, March 4, the festival will feature workshops on lighting and drone photography, as well as special guest Michael Lipton, and a screening of his recent short documentary: West Virginia My Home: Musicians and the Mountain State Experience. View the festival schedule. Tickets and VIP passes are available at the Peoples Bank Theatre website or by calling 740-371-5152.

Paul Newman. Sean Connery. Rex Harrison. Julie Andrews. Spencer Tracey. Sidney Portier. Katharine Hepburn. Warren Beatty. Faye Dunaway. Mowgli.

See the biggest stars of 1967 on the big screen once again as Peoples Bank Theatre brings back a selection of Golden Anniversary films this winter and spring, with titles that include:

• Bonnie & Clyde (February 9 at 7 p.m.)
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (February 26 at 2 p.m.)
• The Jungle Book (March 12 at 2 p.m.)
• Thoroughly Modern Millie (March 23 at 7 p.m.)
• Dr. Dolittle (April 2 at 2 p.m.)
• You Only Live Twice (May 11 at 7 p.m.)
• Cool Hand Luke (May 25 at 7 p.m.)

Plus, with love in the air during the month of February, Peoples Bank Theatre will also offer two romantic comedies that have developed cult followings over the decades: Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day (1993) and the Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck classic Roman Holiday (1953).

At Peoples Bank Theatre, you can step back in time and experience movie-going in a historic American movie house that originally screened silent films, as well as titles from the golden age of Hollywood.

And if you love seeing classics on the big screen you can now save on movie tickets. Get tickets for 5 or more of our upcoming films for just $5 each. Click here to order your tickets online.

All Esbenshade Series performances are free and open to the public. Beginning August 22 you may reserve your seats for free at https://peoplesbanktheatre.com/events/category/esbenshade-series/ or call the Peoples Bank Theatre Box Office at 740-371-5152. Subscribe to our email list to be notified when reservations open.

For anyone who hasn’t attended an Esbenshade Series performance at Marietta College in recent years — or if you have — you should be in for a real treat this year as the schedule is filled with exciting acts.

Musical acts are the driving force behind this year’s five events — four of which will be held at the new Peoples Bank Theatre in downtown Marietta — including Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, as well as the Branford Marsalis Quartet with Kurt Elling.

“We have an exciting line up of performers for the 2016-17 season,” said Tanya Wilder, Director of the Esbenshade Series. All performances are free and open to the public. Reserve your seats for free at peoplesbanktheatre.com or call the Peoples Bank Theatre Box Office at 740-371-5152.

The 36th season begins with author Kao Kalia Yang on Friday, September 16. She will give a lecture to the freshman class at noon, meet with international students and education majors later in the afternoon, and then give a 7 p.m. lecture for the community in the Alma McDonough Auditorium.

Yang is a teacher, public speaker and writer. She is also the author of the award-winning book, The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir and the book, The Song Poet. She is a graduate of Carleton College and Columbia University’s School of the Arts. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her family.

The rest of the Esbenshade Series performances will take place at Peoples Bank Theatre, beginning with Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn at 3 p.m., Sunday, October 9. Fleck has been called one of the world’s premiere banjo players. Fleck was raised in New York City and love watching The Beverly Hillbillies as a young boy. The bluegrass sounds of Flatt & Scruggs flowed out of the TV set and into his young brain. Earl Scruggs’s banjo style hooked Béla’s interest immediately. Fleck’s wife, Abigail Washburn, is a well-known Nashville-based claw hammer banjo player. Abigail and Béla are touring the world as a “trio” with their young son, Juno.

Gavin George, a 13-year-old piano prodigy from Westerville, Ohio, will close out the fall semester with a concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 20. George was a gold-medal winner in 2010 and 2011 in the American Association for the Development of the Gifted and Talented International Piano Competition, and he performed twice in Carnegie Hall. He made his orchestral debut at the age of 7 and is hailed as one of the world’s most talented up-and-coming pianists.

The Esbenshade Series returns in the spring semester with The Shaolin Warriors from China, known throughout the world for their deadly martial-arts prowess, at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 5. Beginning at a very early age, the Warriors are trained in mental and physical disciplines that allow them to perform stunning, spectacular feats of athleticism. This wonderfully colorful and choreographed theatrical production features many forms of Kung Fu.

The final performance of the 2016-17 season features the famous jazz sounds of Branford Marsalis & Quartet, along with Kurt Elling at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 23. Marsalis formed his own quartet in 1986 and, with a few minor interruptions in the early years, has sustained the unit as his primary means of expression. Elling is a jazz vocalist, composer, lyricist and vocalist.

In part, these events have been funded by the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, which provides annual income for the purpose of bringing lectures, performing artists or programs of diverse nature to the campus for public appearances. The endowed fund was established in 1980 by Harry H. Esbenshade, Sr. and Harry H. Esbenshade, Jr., husband and son, respectively, of the late Mrs. Esbenshade of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. All events are free and open to the public.

Peoples Bank Theatre is excited to welcome Missoula Children’s Theatre for a summer production of Pinocchio. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, July 23 at 3 p.m. and 5:30.

Geppetto fashioned the puppet in the image of a small boy. Even as the lonely and kind woodcarver worked far into the night, old Geppetto was not aware that the wood under the chisel had come from the trunk of an enchanted tree. But the Blue Fairy was aware, as she watched from afar and gave to that puppet the gift of life. Thus begins the Missoula Children’s Theatre adaptation of one of the most beloved of all children’s stories–PINOCCHIO. Join our wooden-head as he dances with Geppetto’s charming toys, travels the road to Pleasure Isle with Candlewick and his Crew, and is swindled by the unsavory Fox and Cat. After escaping the clutches of the evil puppetmaster, Stromboli, Pinocchio finds himself in trouble once more–this time swallowed by a monstrous whale. Very scary stuff! As Geppetto and the friendly Urchins spin their magical tale, we learn with Pinocchio that there are no shortcuts on the road to becoming a real, live boy.

Auditions for Pinocchio will be Monday, July 18 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students entering 1st grade through 12th grade are encouraged to audition. Approximately 50-60 local students will be cast to appear in the show. (Please note: 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 15-30 minutes after the audition.

Due to time constraints, late-comers and anyone missing the initial audition may not be considered in the casting of the show.

Most students in the production will rehearse daily 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. 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. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the audition. Cast members scheduled for the full 4½ hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack lunch or snack.

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!

No preparation or prior experience is necessary for the audition. (But a smile never hurts!) For more info call Peoples Bank Theatre at 740-373-0894.