In the first quarter of its first-ever capital campaign, the Mansfield Playhouse has reached its first fundraising goal.
Doug Wertz, president and artistic director at the Playhouse, shared the good news Friday with about 50 members of the community, including Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry, Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero, Mansfield 5th Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz and Adam Gongwer, safety-service director in Ontario.
The capital campaign, which kicked off in March, has collected $1.4 million so far on the way to an ultimate goal of $7.5 million.
“We’re going to get there,” said Chriss Harris, who heads C-Harris Development Consultants.
“I have been moved by this community’s encouragement and early support,” Wertz said. “Reaching this first $1.4 million milestone shows just how deeply our residents believe in preserving our legacy, breathing new life into downtown Mansfield and the power of the arts to unite and uplift a community.”
Those attending enjoyed a catered lunch from Port-A-Cook in Lucas while sitting under a tent on the lot just west of the Playhouse, where the new building will be constructed. K.E. McCartney & Associates was the sponsor.
The Playhouse has a rich history. The capital campaign coincides with the 100th anniversary of the nonprofit group, which is the second-oldest continuously operating community theater in the state.
New building to be ADA-compliant
For nearly 60 years, the Playhouse has operated out of a repurposed church building at 95 E. Third St. The brick structure is slowly crumbling. Its main drawback is that it’s not handicapped-accessible, something not lost on Wertz.
“We cannot fully serve our community without including accessibility,” he said.
Wertz noted there are nearly 15,000 people, or 12% of the population, in Richland County who have some type of disability. Many of the Playhouse’s patrons are older as well.
He said people of all abilities will be able to access every part of the new building from the time they enter. The single-story facility will maintain the Playhouse’s two-stage venue. Wertz showed off an artist’s rendering of the new building.
“It will shape the cultural landscape of our community,” he said, adding Mansfield would become an entertainment destination.
Currently, the Playhouse generally draws from an 80-mile radius. Visitors from 32 states have attended productions there.
The project represents the first major new building construction in downtown Mansfield in 30 years.
“This is a wonderful project,” Harris said of the campaign, branded as Building the Next Stage Together. “It means a lot to the community. This organization is a community treasure.”
Prior to remarks from Wertz and Diaz, visitors watched a video made by DRM Productions highlighting past shows.
Wertz then offered what he called the wealth of talent in the area. Several actors, both juniors and adults, sang renditions, mimicking the audition process.
“There is a lot of history here and it shows you the power of the creative community,” Diaz said, whose 5th Ward includes the Playhouse. “It’s a lot more than just acting and singing. It takes us away from the crazy times in the world, our own personal lives, and brings us to a world of entertainment.”
Diaz called the Playhouse a gem for Mansfield and all of Richland County.
Mansfield Playhouse provides affordable entertainment
Wertz said the Playhouse has always tried to provide affordable entertainment for the community, noting no tickets cost more than $15.
He talked about what a new building could mean economically for the community, pointing out that patrons visit downtown shops and eateries. Wertz said patrons, on average, spend an extra $34 in Mansfield after purchasing tickets.
The new Playhouse will be built on the current property, with the existing structure being removed to create much-needed parking. Its success will depend on broad community support, including new donor relationships, more sponsorship opportunities and grassroots fundraising efforts.
“We can do this, can’t we, guys?”’ Harris asked, drawing applause.
Donations to the campaign can be sent to: Mansfield Playhouse, 95 E. Third St., Mansfield 44902 or made online at mansfieldplayhouse.com
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield Playhouse capital campaign update: Donors have contributed $1.4M
Reporting by Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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