Latest news with #DarrenMangler
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dixon Historic Theatre announces $100,000 anonymous donation
Apr. 28—DIXON — The Dixon: Historic Theatre has received a $100,000 anonymous donation to use for facility enhancements and programming, according to an announcement made Thursday, April 24, by the theater's board. There have been a lot of changes at the theater during the last two months, from reopening March 2 after a $1.5 million restoration project to firing former executive director Darren Mangler and filling the role with Spencer Aurand, former business manager at Dixon Stage Left, on April 8. Since 2019, when the new board — the Historic Dixon Theatre Group — took over the theater, donations and grant funds have been crucial to keeping it up and running, according to a news release. [ A grand debut: The Dixon Historic Theatre undergoing renovations, preparing for big 2025 season ] "This extraordinary gift will allow us to continue improving the facilities, expanding our programming, and supporting our goal of greater sustainability," Aurand said in the announcement. "The donor has given their blessing to release this information in hopes of sparking additional gifts to advance this community mission." "While the donor has requested to remain anonymous, we are deeply grateful for their generosity and belief in our mission. It is support like this that lets us know we are on a good path in advancing the cultural and economic benefits the theater can provide our community," Theater Board Chairman Mike Venier said. The major renovations — which included repairing the roof, ceiling and other structural work — are complete, but some cosmetic changes are still in the works. Free public tours of the theater are being offered starting at 10 a.m. every Saturday. "Come join us to see how things are progressing," the announcement said. Upcoming shows at the theater include "Larger than Life," a boy band tribute from 7-9 p.m. May 1; the movie "Spaceballs" from 7:30-9:30 p.m. May 2; and "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" from 7:30-9:30 p.m. May 3. For information, visit
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dixon Historic Theatre makes $250,000 funding pitch to Dixon City Council
Feb. 6—DIXON — The Dixon Historic Theatre made its pitch for $250,000 in city funds at the Dixon City Council's first 2026 fiscal budget work session Monday. The council listened to funding requests from six community nonprofit organizations during the session, which was the first of many meetings as the city begins drafting its budget for fiscal 2026. The theater's request was by far the largest, with a majority of organizations asking for about $30,000. Darren Mangler, executive director and artistic producer at the theater, took the lead on presenting the request. He said the funds would be used for operating costs, which are expected to total $300,000, and include utilities, payroll, insurance, and capital lease and grant expenses. The funds also would be used to cover expenses for events, including contracts for touring shows, hospitality, advertising, technical renting and assistance, Mangler said. Efforts to revive the 102-year-old theater at 114 S. Galena Ave. and to raise its profile have been ongoing since 2016. It closed in October 2024 to undergo a $1.5 million restoration project and is planned to open March 2 with the national touring Broadway show "Spamilton!" [ A grand debut: The Dixon Historic Theatre undergoing renovations, preparing for big 2025 season ] "The future looks great," Mangler said. "We have tripled our shows." In recent seasons, the number of shows was limited. On average, the theater had about 25 events a year, Mangler said. For the upcoming 2025 season, he said, they have more than 75 events planned, including tribute bands, national touring companies, comedy shows and community theater performances. In 2024, the theater made $75,000 in ticket sales. When considering the number of this year's shows, Mangler expects to bring in ticket sales of $225,000. He said that amount would cover the theater's annual costs. "We're gambling on ourselves at this point, and we're really excited for it," Mangler said. Mayor Glen Hughes asked the theater to put together a revenue projection based on costs, the number of shows and past attendance numbers because "not every show is gonna be profitable." "I'd like to get a better handle on what your expectations of revenues are going to be against the show cost," Hughes said. Another Dixon theater group that made its pitch for funding Monday night was Between Beats, representing Dixon Stage Left. The group asked for $20,000 to be used for production costs, which include licensing shows, and set and costume design costs. Stage Left also closed in 2024 to consolidate its venues to one central location at 105 S. Peoria Ave. The theater plans to reopen in early 2025, Executive Director Scott Fattizzi said in a previous interview with Shaw Local. Other organizations that asked for funding included the Sauk Valley Community College Impact Program for $30,000, the Next Picture Show for $35,000, the CEO program for $25,000 and the Dixon Sister Cities Association for $6,000. The council didn't take any action on the requests and won't do so until the budget is finalized in May.
