Curtain set to rise Jan. 10 on HCA’s new performance space
Holmes Center for the Arts Executive Director Holley Johnson, middle, in the seats of The Center Stage with her daughter Lydia, right, and Taryn Grassbaugh. The HCA’s new theater will open for the first time with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 10.
The grand opening of Holmes Center for the Arts’ new multipurpose performance space, The Center Stage, will take place Friday, Jan. 10. The community is invited to drop in from 3-5 p.m. to tour the building. The ribbon cutting will be at 3 p.m., with 20-minute demo performances at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
The Center Stage offers state-of-the-art lighting, modern sound equipment, movable wings and a sprung stage floor along with the padded movable seating. Currently, the arts center is close to being fully funded in order to purchase and install an LED video wall. The wall will offer various uses including digital backdrops for shows, films, movie nights, presentations and more.
“The Center Stage is our brand-new 4,000-square-foot multipurpose event space,” HCA Executive Director Holley Johnson said. “It was built to function like a black box theater but with the ability to convert for other creative uses.”
The space is equipped with flexible seating for 200 with the option to clear the floor, creating a large, open room.
“We envision the space being used for performances, concerts, art galleries, conferences, classes, workshops, and eventually, when we install the LED video wall, movies and films,” Johnson said.
Completion of The Center Stage was delayed when the cost of building materials spiked in 2020, just prior to beginning construction of the arts center.
“We made the decision to build all of our classroom spaces first and build the shell of the theater but continue raising funds to finish the inside of the theater,” Johnson said. “It has always been important to us to not have a mortgage or loans to pay off so that we can offer the lowest cost tuition for classes and provide the best opportunities for our community.
“We have been in the building for three years now, and from here forward, we will have an operating theater as well.”
The arts center began in 2015. After the first semester of classes held in an older church building, they had outgrown the space.
“We wanted to be able to grow, and we knew we really needed our own space,” Johnson said. “We figured we were at least 20 years out from being able to reach our goals, but through generous local donations, grants and state funding, we have been able to move quicker than we ever dreamed.”
The Center Stage is a versatile space designed for much more than arts center performances. It is a community asset with a range of planned and potential uses.
“We see it as a space for art galleries, small conferences or workshops, our performances plus performance space for other organizations,” Johnson said. “We want to bring in musicians of various genres and have classical concerts. We have community groups looking at the space for seed swaps, maker’s space events and winter craft sales. The Berlin Merchants will be using The Center Stage in January for their fashion show. It is a very versatile room that can fit a lot of needs in our community.”
Anyone interested in renting The Center Stage is invited to email the arts center at info@holmescenterforthearts.org.
As a nonprofit, the arts center relies on donations to provide classes, performances and educational opportunities to enrich the community through the arts. Volunteers are always needed as well.
There is always a need for programming sponsors to help with the costs of shows and performances or help with funding for outreach activities such as the after-school program for teens, classes for the individuals with disabilities, classes for seniors and scholarships.
“The more people give, the more we can do to enrich our community and improve the quality of life here in Holmes County through the arts,” Johnson said.
Currently, the biggest capital needs are expanded paved parking and the last funds for installation of the LED video wall. Anyone interested in donating is welcome to email Johnson at holley@holmescenterforthearts.org or mail a check to Holmes Center for the Arts, 5200 state Route 39, Millersburg, OH 44654.
There is already a lineup of performances scheduled for 2025 at The Center Stage including “Matilda Jr.” Feb. 21-23, “Giselle” April 11-13, the Spring Dance Celebration April 24-25, “Newsies” June 26-29 and “The Nutcracker” in December.
Winter classes in theater, art, music and dance will begin Jan. 13. Enroll online. Find Holmes Center for the Arts online at www.holmescenterforthearts.org and on Facebook and Instagram.
“Starting an organization from scratch and having a brand-new arts center plus The Center Stage in just 10 years feels remarkable when we look back,” Johnson said. “I am so thankful that people saw the good that HCA was doing and were willing to pour their resources into this building so that we can use our gifts and talents to better serve through the arts.”