Geyer Performing Arts Center brings entertainment, education
Courtesy of Kelly Tunney
The Geyer Performing Arts Center鈥檚 November production of 鈥淪pring Awakening鈥� was its highest box office since reopening.
Submitted photo
The Geyer Performing Arts Center reopened in July with 鈥淟end Me a Tenor鈥� after being closed since March 2020 because of the pandemic.
缅北禁地
Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale
For more than three decades, the Geyer Performing Arts Center has brought theatrical productions to the area, giving artists a chance to create and offering area residents a chance to experience the thrill of a live show.
鈥淲e鈥檝e built a theater community that is a wonderful place for people and inclusive for all,鈥� said Roberta Higinbotham, president of the GPAC鈥檚 board of directors.
But, she said, 鈥淚t was a really rough year-and-a-half. We were unable to do any type of productions, and a large portion of our budget comes from ticket sales.
鈥淲hen you can鈥檛 produce shows, there鈥檚 no income coming in,鈥� she said.
The theater maintains a cooperative relationship with Actors and Artists of Fayette County, which produces six shows a year there. GPAC also produces six shows yearly, in addition to one-act plays and educational shows.
The theater also operates the Geyer Education Center in a building adjoining its Pittsburgh Street location in Scottdale.
The nonprofit鈥檚 education program includes free after-school care two days a week, classes, and other events meant to give children exposure to theater and the arts.
鈥淪o many children in our area 鈥� don鈥檛 have the opportunity to have an early introduction to art and theater,鈥� Higinbotham said. 鈥淭his allows us to bring it to them.鈥�
The building that is now GPAC was built in 1900, and originally operated as the Geyer Opera House. It went through a couple of name changes over the years, before going back to its roots as the Geyer Performing Arts Center in 2005.
Because the building is more than 120 years old, Higinbotham said there are always upkeep and maintenance costs to keep it running.
鈥淔inances are a big issue,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e hate to say it鈥檚 all about money, but without financial support we can鈥檛 keep the building going.鈥�
The age also limits them from putting on productions that require more high-tech equipment, she said, so the board is working with an engineering company to modernize the theater.
They鈥檙e also exploring new ways to raise funds, hopeful that the community they serve will rally around them.
鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult in this area, but we think that people really understand how important the theater is 鈥� not just for those who participate but for the community at large,鈥� said Higinbotham.
Although the theater stopped productions for several months, the board continued to work on finding funding streams. A grant allowed them to renovate the education center to make it more accessible, and handicapped accessible restrooms were added.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more user-friendly now, for not only classes, but for rehearsal space,鈥� Higinbotham said.
They鈥檙e also holding fundraisers, like the upcoming Elf Fun Run on Dec. 18. The run coincides with Actors and Artists of Fayette County鈥檚 production of 鈥淓lf the Musical,鈥� running from Dec. 16-19.
Higinbotham said the theater is also in need of volunteers, including ushers, ticket collectors and box office workers, and the educational arm of GPAC is accepting volunteers to run arts-related workshops for the children it serves.
The board of directors also has a couple of vacancies, she noted, should anyone have the time and interest to serve in that capacity.
While the scuttled 2020 season was a financial difficulty, Higinbotham said she鈥檚 encouraged to see attendance slowly going up.
A recent production of 鈥淪pring Awakening鈥� saw the highest box office since reopening in July, she said.
鈥淲e have amazing talent in this community,鈥� Higinbotham said, 鈥渁nd we welcome anybody who would like to get involved with us.鈥�
Those interested in volunteering or becoming board members can email the theater at geyerpac@verizon.net or call the GPAC at 724-887-0887. Donations can be mailed to Geyer Performing Arts Center, 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Pa., 15683. An online donation option is available at the bottom of the homepage at Geyerpac.com.