COLUMBUS — Columbus is a hotspot of modern architecture, but a new campaign hopes to revive one of its oldest gems. The long-abandoned Crump Theatre could become a 700-seat concert venue.
The Encore Project launched this month to raise money for a full restoration of the 135-year-old theatre. The effort follows five years of work from volunteers to reopen the Crump in a limited capacity.
"You have a vision. You have your hopes," said Jess Schnepp, the theatre's facilities manager and leader of the renovation crew. "You can see the possibilities, but the real question is, 'Does anyone else?'"
The Crump Theatre opened in 1889 as an opera house with later additions in the 1920s and 1940s. It has been in danger of demolition since at least the 1980s.
The Crump Theatre is now structurally sound after a series of improvements. The Encore Project hopes to raise money for a new lobby, additions to make the theatre compliant with the American Disabilities Act, and an air conditioning system.
"Even people who may have said, 'It should meet the wrecking ball' can come in and understand this is a place worth saving," Encore Project director Steve Sanders said.
Most importantly, the theatre hopes to repair and reopen its balcony so it can double its capacity and become a complement to other nearby performing arts venues.
"My very first experience was sitting front row, third seat in, on the balcony," Schnepp said. "I will never forget that."
"We have limited functions now," Sanders said. "We can get people in here and do some things, but we can't do everything."
The Crump Theatre has received several large donations to make it operational, including period-correct seats from the Indiana War Memorial and the sound system once used in Market Square Arena.
Schnepp said she's proud of how far the Crump has already come in her five years in charge of the theatre.
"When someone says, 'You saved it,' it takes a lot for that to sink in," Schnepp said. "You finally saw what you thought was possible. What you'd envisioned and hoped for. There it is."
-
Beech Grove Schools plans 'Blue-Out' to honor fallen officer Brian Elliott
Beech Grove City Schools will hold a districtwide "Blue-Out" on Thursday to honor fallen police officer Brian Elliott, a graduate of Beech Grove High School who was killed in the line of duty Monday.
Spectrum offers $25K reward after cable attacks hit Indianapolis
Spectrum is asking for the public's help after a series of attacks on communication cables in Indianapolis disrupted internet and phone service for customers.
Traffic signal feature gives 'a few extra seconds in the crosswalk'
If you’re at a downtown intersection and you push a crosswalk button, you may notice the walk signal three to seven seconds before the light turns green in any direction.
Circle City Sweets prepares hundreds of king cakes for Mardi Gras
It’s Fat Tuesday, and for Circle City Sweets at The AMP, it’s the busiest holiday of the year. On Monday morning, owner Cindy Hawkins and her team are hard at work, preparing 100 king cakes.
