PHOTOS: John Legend in Springfield to open theater
Springfield native and 10-time Grammy winner John Legend helped raise money for the theater by raffling off a private performance. Along with the $1 million campaign, the Springfield City School District school board is matching $1 million to renovate the theater and promote the arts.
About 90 events have taken place in the theater since the beginning of 2017 and dates in 2018 are filling up fast, John Legend Theater Operations Manager Terry McGonigle said.
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“What is really exciting is the use has increased so much,” he said. “It gets used by Springfield City Schools for many different events like awards for the kids to watch movies, award assemblies, guest speakers and that kind of thing. We also lease it out to area civic groups like the Springfield Youth Symphony, Springfield Art Council and Shawnee High School had their musical here.”
So far it’s attracted many local groups, McGonigle said, and even groups from California and the East Coast. A German television documentary was filmed at the theater this year.
There are few open dates available in March and April, he said, and that means if someone wants to use the theater next year they need to act now.
“It’s going to be really important that people plan ahead and think about not waiting for the week before,” McGonigle said. “That will help us be more organized and plan better and in turn that will help us serve more people.”
READ MORE: Video shows behind-the-scenes at John Legend Theater in Springfield
With its popularity, the theater staff is hosting four training sessions to get more employees. Coming up early next year, training sessions will be held on sound and lights, costumes and stage managing. Anyone interested can contact McGonigle at 937-505-2944.
To reach the $1 million fundraising goal, the theater is selling seats, district spokeswoman Kim Fish said.
“Anyone can buy a seat,” Fish said. “It is a great way to commemorate either a teacher you had, a class or a friend.”
The seats cost between $100 and $500 depending on where in the theater they are.
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