Friends of the Theater

Barb Kauchak, Kiwanis President and Chris VeHorn, Friends of the Theater Board Member

In 2017, the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, a privately owned historic theater at 122 W. Main St. in Greenfield, lost its long-held county funding - a critical source of taxpayer support for the downtown performing arts venue. Fearing the doors might close, the local arts community came together to find a solution. And so, the Friends of the Theater was born.

Chris VeHorn, a Board Member of Friends of the Theater spoke to Kiwanis about the mission of the organization.  Chris Cota VeHorn's  involvement in community theater, both on stage and off, led her to become a part of the Friends of the Theater board. Chris is recently retired from a 31-year teaching career and currently flipping houses. She is excited to have a part in the preservation and maintenance of this wonderful asset in our community.

The H.J Ricks Centre for the Arts, formerly the Village Movie Theater, was donated to the community for civic purposes.  The theater is used by Crazy Lake Acting Company, George and Icy Vaughn Scholarship, Ricks Weil Theater Company, Kids Play, Inc., Wilkerson Dance Studio, and Dance East Ballet Co.    The Centre is also available for other purposes on a rental basis. 

The first three restoration projects are: Restoration and repair of the marquee sign which includes rewiring and replacing lighting with LED; fixing a buckling exterior wall; and replacing 45 chairs and repairing 100 chairs in the auditorium.  Much of the backstage area also needs painting . 

To support the restoration and maintenance efforts go to donorbox.org/theaterfriends .