The Erie Playhouse and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) announced a 25-year, naming-rights agreement for the stage at the Erie Playhouse. Starting with the 101st Playhouse season, the stage will be referred to as LECOM Stage at the Playhouse, a title that will also be prominently displayed on the façade of the theatre on West 10th Street in gratitude for a major gift that allowed the Playhouse to reach its financial goal for completing stage renovations in its downtown Erie facility.
The Erie Playhouse unveils new signage for the LECOM Stage at the Playhouse.
“LECOM has gone above and beyond with their commitment to arts and culture in Erie,” says Playhouse Executive Director Almitra Clerkin. “LECOM addresses the health of our community beyond the medical. By supporting arts and culture that is vital to Erie’s quality of life, LECOM is ensuring the future of the Playhouse for generations to come.”
LECOM shares in the Playhouse mission statement: “The Erie Playhouse is dedicated to enriching the lives of residents in the greater Erie region by providing life-long opportunities to participate in quality theatrical productions as artists, audience members, and advocates.”
“LECOM is ever eager to advance community betterment and to develop our local economy by expanding the tangible and intrinsic benefits of the arts to our students and citizens alike,” explained LECOM President John M. Ferretti, D.O. “We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the arts community ensuring that the illumination of our community remains forever bright.”
The $1.4 million renovation project is scheduled to begin July 31, 2017 with a completion date prior to the opening of the 101st season at the Playhouse on Thursday, October 5, 2107. The Playhouse will open the theatre’s second century with the hit musical Mamma Mia.
The project includes extensive stage renovations; sinking the orchestra pit and building an under-the-stage Green Room; installing new digital stage lighting; adding a handicapped restroom on the stage level, a new HVAC system along with renovations to the restrooms in the outer lobby and lower rotunda.
With the new outdoor sign above the marquee, playhouse patrons and visitors in Downtown Erie passing by the Playhouse will be reminded of the generous support of LECOM for the arts and for helping maintain a robust community theater in the heart of the city.