The Youngstown Playhouse has completed the first major project in its steps toward renovation
and beautification, officially known as Phase One of its Capital Campaign, initiated in early
2018.

Patrons of recent Playhouse events (including the current season’s opening musical production of
“Pippin”) were treated to a fully-lighted parking lot for the first time in many years. The entire
parameter and center of the lot, which provides free parking at a close distance to the entrance
doors, is now brightly lit for all public events, and provides its staff and volunteers with a safe
place to enter and exit at night. In addition to its value as a security measure, the new lighting
calls attention to the Playhouse’s physical presence on the Glenwood corridor. Uplighting with
changeable colors and cost-effective LED bulbs on the building’s towering façade also gives the
59-year-old structure a new nighttime glow on performance weekends. Aey Electric was hired
to perform the substantial work involved, under the supervision of the Youngstown
Neighborhood Development Corporation. Approximate cost for the job was $10,000.

The Capital Campaign goal is $228,000; to date, $83,500 has been raised. Funding for this
project and upcoming improvements was provided in part by Youngstown City Council
members Lauren McNally and Anita Davis, disbursing their discretionary funds. The Board of
Directors and staff of the Playhouse also gratefully acknowledge the various foundations and
trusts who have contributed to the campaign: The Youngstown Foundation (the campaign’s
largest contributor thus far, with a gift of $50,000), The J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation,
The Walter E. and Caroline H. Watson Foundation, The Ruth Beecher Charitable Trust, The
Home Savings Charitable Foundation, The Frances Schermer Charitable Trust, ServeOhio, and
The Bernard and Elaine Soss Charitable Trust.

The next planned work project of Phase One is repair to the Playhouse’s roof, particularly above
the auditorium, set to commence in November of this year.
The Youngstown Playhouse, established in 1924 and incorporated in 1927, has been occupying
its address at 600 Playhouse Lane since 1959. The organization, which is the oldest ongoing
community theater in the nation, is unique among local non-profit theatrical entities for owning and maintaining its own venue, which was designed and built specifically to be a fully-
functioning theater.