Geyer Performing Arts Center to host fund-raiser Saturday
A combination of declining attendance and changes in personnel has created an economic shortfall for Scottdale’s historic Geyer Performing Arts Center, according to center officials. To help alleviate this shortfall, the Geyer will host a fund-raiser on Saturday at the Pleasant Valley Country Club, Route 982, Bullskin Township. Brad Geyer, a member of the Geyer’s board of directors, said that he and his colleagues were looking for different ways to address the theater’s dwindling fund balance. “Due to personnel issues, grant writing got pushed to the background,” Geyer said. “We’re waiting for some grants to come in. This gala will help raise money in the interim.”
He pointed out that the heating bill alone is nearly $2,000 a month. There also is the cost of producing the stage shows. “It takes a toll on the money coming through the door,” Geyer said.
Geyer said that there are also several maintenance issues to address. “The roof needs to be repaired,” he said. “Also, we need to put in a new fly-wheel system for the stage curtains.” He added that the heating system also needs to be updated.
Geyer, a 2000 graduate of Connellsville Senior High School, became interested in acting while he was a student there. He acted in several musicals, including “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and “The King and I.” He became interested in the Geyer Theatre upon discovering that a several-times great uncle, Andrew Geyer, had built the theatre. The building served originally as an opera house. It passed through many hands until the nonprofit group Scottdale Showtime Inc., which used the building first as a movie house and later staged live performances, bought it. In spring 2005, the theatre officially became the Geyer Performing Arts Center, in honor of Andrew Geyer. When Brad Geyer was asked last fall to join the board of directors, he said he accepted eagerly.
Richard Means, general manager at the Geyer, said that the theatre represents a tradition of community spirit. “We hope to continue providing low-cost family entertainment to the people of this community,” he said. Means also hopes to reach out more to school-aged children within the coming year.
Cocktails will be served at 6:30 and dinner will be served at 7:30. There will be live music and dancing throughout the evening. “We won’t raise enough to address all our financial issues,” said Geyer. “We hope to raise a few thousand dollars to help with the cash flow.”
For more information regarding the Geyer Performing Arts Center, visit their Web site at www.geyerpac.com
or call 724-887-0887.