Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Uptown! Theater presented with Public Impact Award
Congratulations are in order for Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center.
State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, stopped by Uptown!’s November Board of Directors meeting to present a citation for a 2017 Public Impact Award from Preservation Pennsylvania. This award is given to individuals or organizations for significant contributions in the field of historic preservation.
Furthermore, the citation recognizes West Chester’s new theater for an “innovative and progressive attitude, along with a conviction to operate with integrity and vision” and for establishing a “reputation of excellent quality and service since its inception.” Comitta is excited. “It gives me great pleasure to recognize Uptown!,” Comitta said. “It has been nothing short of amazing to watch this group of talented citizens identify the need for a home for the arts and work together over the last few years to make it a reality.
“They have brought first class entertainment and education to our area and I am very proud to have them in my district.”
Uptown! began just seven years ago with four friends discussing their desire for a theater in downtown West Chester. It quickly moved from a group of friends to a fully functioning board focused on the National Guard Armory building as the theater’s home.
Angela Scully, Uptown! Entertainment Alliance executive director said the theater is doing “really, really well.”
With strong citizen input, the “people powered project – the vision of a few, the hard work of many” – is a success, she said
With 15,000 tickets sold in less than a year, the community support shows that her was a need, Scully said.
In May 2015 Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill allowing Uptown! to purchase the Armory from the Commonwealth. A capital campaign was launched and $4.2 million was raised to purchase, preserve and renovate the Armory as a Theater for film and live performance.
In May 2016, Uptown! broke ground and began renovating the vacant Armory building. The 14,300 square-foot three-story structure had one working toilet, a 1970’s furnace, no air-conditioning or handicapped access. Over a nine month time period, the building was brought back to its original floor plan and accessibility was added inside and out.
From the main drill hall, Uptown! created a 327-seat main stage theater. The upstairs level now boasts a performance space for 100. On the lower level there is another performance space as well as a classroom, green rooms, dressing rooms and bathrooms.
The building opened Dec. 31, 2016 with a New Year’s Eve Gala for 500 people, a transformational moment for the Borough of West Chester. The creation of a cultural hub in the downtown historic district, walking distance from local neighborhoods, schools, restaurants and shopping, makes the theater – and downtown West Chester – a prime destination for individuals and families from across the region.
Uptown! continues to make a public impact in many ways. For additional information about the building, the theater or events, visit 226 North High Street, uptownwestchester.org or call 610.356.ARTS (2787).