Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
When the Wagon Wheel Theatre announced last fall the theater was finally becoming a not-for-profit organization, the follow-up questions were many.
“What does this mean for the community?” “What happens next?” “What do you mean you are purchasing the assets?” Just to name a few.
Wagon Wheel Theatre Inc. (the new not-for-profit organization) recently purchased the theater assets including everything inside the building (save the building itself) such as 836 seats, costumes, props, sets, lights, sound equipment, sewing machines, etc. The assets were purchased from former ownership Wagon Wheel Productions Inc., owned by Bruce and Steve Shaffner, and gives the new group complete control of theater operations.
The new Wagon Wheel Theatre Inc. signed a five-year lease on the building and facilities with the former Wagon Wheel Theatre owners, including the Shaffners, who will donate the first six months’ rent.
“Mr. Shaffner has kept the doors of this theater open for 20-plus years,” said Wagon Wheel Theatre Director of Operations Will Dawson. “He realized that to continue providing incomparable entertainment for future generations he had to recruit passionate board members who share his vision and recognition of the theater’s value to the community, emotionally and economically.”
According to a recent economic study conducted by the Kosciusko Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Wagon Wheel Theatre ranked the highest stand-alone attraction for tourism to Kosciusko County, next to The Village at Winona Lake. Similarly, OrthoWorx conducted a community enhancement study and recognized the theater’s cultural significance in recruiting and retaining employees.
Fundraising for the Wagon Wheel will be a continuous process as the theater seeks to aggressively add new programming in the coming months and years including youth theater, youth educational programs and cultural events.
“The future is bright for this place. We are here to stay,” said Dawson. “But we are going to need plenty of continual support from the community.”
The Wagon Wheel Theatre thanks all donors, including OrthoWorx, Jansen Orthopaedic, Lake City Bank and the Hand Family Foundation.
To find out how to donate to the Wagon Wheel Theatre, contact Dawson at 574-267-8041. All contributions are 501(c)3 tax-exempt.
