Non-Profit Board Purchases Wagon Wheel Theatre, 2517
December 19, 2019 at 11:42 p.m.
By Staff Report-
The group has been leasing the theater facility for a number of years and worked out an arrangement with the owners to purchase the theater and the adjacent 2517 building, which has been used as a community banquet facility, according to Executive Director of Wagon Wheel Jay Michaels and Chair of the Board Deb Bishop.
The sellers include a coalition of owners headed by Bruce Shaffner, as well as Wagon Wheel Productions Inc. and Shaffner & Shaffner Enterprises Inc.
Shaffner, who is also part owner of the adjacent Wyndham Hotel, purchased the theater and its property from multiple owners some years ago and had been operating it as a for-profit, private business until the formation of a 501(c)3 non-profit board named Wagon Wheel Theatre Inc. in 2010.
Wagon Wheel Theatre was founded 65 years ago by Warsaw resident Herb Petrie, and its unique theater-in-the round venue has earned rave reviews year after year for the quality of its productions. Since the formation of the non-profit board, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts now is comprised of four separate operating units – Wagon Wheel Theatre, Wagon Wheel Junior, Center Street Community Theatre and Symphony of the Lakes.
“We are delighted to take this next step in the theater’s journey,” Bishop said.
Bishop praised Shaffner for preserving and maintaining the theater through some difficult years financially, and she noted that the acquisition of the 2517 facility will enable much broader programming for children, including drama and theater workshops for children and adults of all ages. A Dekko Foundation grant of $300,000 for expanded children’s programming was one of the catalysts to enable the sale.
Shaffner, who owned and operated the theater for many years and served on its board until recently, noted his delight that the theater is expanding, is on solid financial footing, and is providing expanded programming through its four operating units.
“I love the theater,” he said, “and I am excited for its future under the direction of new leadership.”
Bishop noted that the public will soon be hearing about a modest capital funds drive to expand and upgrade the lobby and restroom areas and to assist in modernizing and updating the facility.
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The group has been leasing the theater facility for a number of years and worked out an arrangement with the owners to purchase the theater and the adjacent 2517 building, which has been used as a community banquet facility, according to Executive Director of Wagon Wheel Jay Michaels and Chair of the Board Deb Bishop.
The sellers include a coalition of owners headed by Bruce Shaffner, as well as Wagon Wheel Productions Inc. and Shaffner & Shaffner Enterprises Inc.
Shaffner, who is also part owner of the adjacent Wyndham Hotel, purchased the theater and its property from multiple owners some years ago and had been operating it as a for-profit, private business until the formation of a 501(c)3 non-profit board named Wagon Wheel Theatre Inc. in 2010.
Wagon Wheel Theatre was founded 65 years ago by Warsaw resident Herb Petrie, and its unique theater-in-the round venue has earned rave reviews year after year for the quality of its productions. Since the formation of the non-profit board, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts now is comprised of four separate operating units – Wagon Wheel Theatre, Wagon Wheel Junior, Center Street Community Theatre and Symphony of the Lakes.
“We are delighted to take this next step in the theater’s journey,” Bishop said.
Bishop praised Shaffner for preserving and maintaining the theater through some difficult years financially, and she noted that the acquisition of the 2517 facility will enable much broader programming for children, including drama and theater workshops for children and adults of all ages. A Dekko Foundation grant of $300,000 for expanded children’s programming was one of the catalysts to enable the sale.
Shaffner, who owned and operated the theater for many years and served on its board until recently, noted his delight that the theater is expanding, is on solid financial footing, and is providing expanded programming through its four operating units.
“I love the theater,” he said, “and I am excited for its future under the direction of new leadership.”
Bishop noted that the public will soon be hearing about a modest capital funds drive to expand and upgrade the lobby and restroom areas and to assist in modernizing and updating the facility.
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