FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2007
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Ohio Outdoor Historical Drama Association: Margaret M. Bonamico – 330-364-5111; trumpet@tusco.net
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $100,000 for Trumpet in the Land
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $100,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the facility improvements project at Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre in New Philadelphia, home of the outdoor drama Trumpet in the Land.
Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre was built in the late 1960s for the 1970 premier of Trumpet in the Land, the long-running outdoor drama by Paul Green. The amphitheatre seats 1,100, and also hosts Joseph Bonamico’s and Mark Durbin’s The White Savage. Both productions are presented by the Ohio Outdoor Historical Drama Association, which was created to preserve the history of the Tuscarawas Valley through the production of outdoor dramas and other cultural programs. The Schoenbrunn Amphitheater’s facility improvement project includes the renovation of the American Fort stage and stage turntable, renovation of the sound booth, completion of an electrical service upgrade, rebuilding the horse shelter and related fencing, roof replacement on the Pavilion, and the installation of an enclosure system for the Pavilion. The Ohio Outdoor Historical Drama Association plans to replace roofs on other amphitheater buildings and structures should contingency funds remain available after the budgeted work is completed.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Ohio Outdoor Historical Drama Association to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 675 of the 124th General Assembly. Tuscarawas County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include former Senator Gregory DiDonato, and former Representatives Kerry Metzger and K. Eileen Krupinski.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that helps enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed nearly $400 million of capital funds appropriated by the legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at non-profit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues.
The Commission partners with non-profit groups and local governments on nearly 250 projects in 65 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
