ROCKVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Over halfway to their $500,000 fundraising goal, the Ritz Theater is set to start projects to preserve the theater for generations to come.
“Nowadays, a theater is really a cornerstone for a community Especially a small community.
It’s such an important thing. It provides so much,” Ted Bomo, General Manager at Rockville Coin & Jewelry said.
The historical Ritz Theater in Rockville dates back to 1912. While it’s changed ownership a few times, the staple has always remained open.
David Crowder, Manager of the theater and Treasurer for the Parke Players said In 1998, the Parke Players Inc. purchased the theater, “We’ve owned it and operated it ever since.”
Last January, the Park Players started a campaign to raise $500,000 to continue preserving the theater for generations to come. In less than a year, Crowder said they’re halfway to the goal.
“We just reached $258,000 in grants and donations that have been given to us. So, we are over that halfway hill now, and we are looking forward to this final push to get us to the half million mark,” Crowder said.
As they continue toward the fundraising goals, Crowder said, “Some of the projects are truly necessary at this point to preserve the building and some of them just can’t wait.”
Those projects Crowder said are on the outside of the building, “We’ve started working with a contractor for our brickwork to be done. Tuck pointing and all that. That’s kind of the first thing that we’re going to do, the first thing people are going to see is scaffolding going up around the building. Then we’re hoping to move on to a new roof and then here soon we’re going to be coming inside.”
Inside, they will revamp the entire electrical grid, add new stage lights, and curtains, as well as truss rigging for those to hang from. Last summer, they remodeled and upgraded the concession stand area.
Bonomo added that the theater is important to the community, “It’s absolutely vital. I mean, to be able to continually offer a playhouse or movie house, and to be able to do that for another 125 years would be something that would be unprecedented across the nation.”
“The best way to support us is to come in and see a movie, see a stage show. The stage shows are wonderful and the movies. We have the best popcorn around, I know I sound a little biased. But the popcorn maker is from the 1930s. It has a lot of history built into it as well, and it makes some of the best popcorn in Indiana,” Crowder said.
