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by
Karen Fetter
The Geyer Performing Arts
Center (GPAC) has taken
community theater to the
next level. This
season there are exciting
shows that will enlighten
every theater enthusiast.
Under the management of
Christine Maroney, shows
such as a Cabaret, Johnny
Cash, and Patsy Cline will
be headlining the theater
this fall.
“We like to do popular and
new plays to expose as much
culture to the public as
possible,” said Christine.
“Attendance keeps increasing
for us and we want that to
continue to grow.”
The scheduled dates for
Johnny Cash are September 6
– 9; the Cabaret is
September 21-22; and Patsy
Cline is scheduled for
November. In
addition to these shows, the
GPAC works together with the
Actors and Artists of
Fayette County (AAFC) to
bring more shows to the
theater. The lineup
for the fall of 2007
includes Lily Felon’s
Daughter on October 11-13,
and Frankenstein Slept Here
on October 26-28.
GPAC is also featuring
another Christmas show, The
Best Christmas Pageant Ever,
which involves local
home-schooled students on
November 30. In
previous years the Geyer
Theater was strictly a
theater for AAFC. Now
the mission of the theater
and its supporters has
expanded to include much
more.
“What we enjoy is involving
children in the theater,”
said Christina. “We
have two great programs that
educate them on theater.”
One of these programs is
called Camp Curtain Call.
This camp takes place in the
summer and is a week long.
It exposes children to the
theater and helps them work
together to put on a show.
At the end of the week, the
show is performed for
parents and friends.
There is also an educational
program that allows schools
to have fieldtrips to the
theater for a spring
production. This helps
them become acquainted with
the life and operation of
the theater.
In addition to various
productions and children’s
programs, there is also
Saturday Rocks. This
program takes place one
Saturday a month and
features local bands.
Once a year there is a
Battle of the Bands
competition, held in the
summer. The GPAC is
not just acting, but music
too! GPAC also teamed
up with the
Greensburg-American Opera
Company to return opera to
the stage in 2005, as well
as working with Carson’s
Catering in Scottdale to
offer dinner theater
packages.
“Our mission is to provide a
regional arts center for
community involvement in a
broad range of shared
artistic experiences,” said
Christina.
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The
Geyer building has been
known as a
community-gathering place
since its cosntruction in
1900. The building has
outlasted many owners and
has gone through uncounted
ups and downs. Andrew
Geyer built the theater in
1900 and named it the Geyer
Opera House. The opera
house was very successful
and became a popular social
venue for many notable
performers. It was a time
when the Borough of
Scottdale was booming as
well.
The vibrant economy
attracted a diverse group of
people from all social
classes. The Opera
House helped make Scottdale
a place of culture and the
performing arts. Mr. Geyer
owned the theater until 1912
when it was purchased by the
Scottdale Theater Company.
With the years, the theater
became a home for vaudeville
acts and other live
performances.
Despite new purchases for
the theater including a vita
phone system and a Big
Klingen Wonder Organ, the
theater soon faced financial
difficulty. At this
time the theater was being
managed by John C. Bixler.
The building was leased out
for several purposes
including town meetings,
shows, civic organization
meetings, and even as an
auditorium for the Scottdale
High School. Finally,
the doors were closed in
1971. For many years
it sat vacant until the
Scottdale Showtime Inc.
refurbished the building in
1987. Today the owner
is the Geyer Performing Arts
Center and it is maintaining
its rich cultural heritage
by providing a wide array of
theatrical content.
GPAC is a member of the
Scottdale Area Chamber of
Commerce, Greater
Connellsville Chamber of
Commerce, and the Laurel
Highlands Chamber of
Commerce. GPAC has an
active Board of Directors
and a team of volunteers
that make the theater the
success that it is.
The Board of Directors
include President Karen
Keifer, Vice-president Brad
Geyer, Secretary Becky
Halfhill, Treasurer Linda
Pevarnik, and members Don
DeFurio, Howard Markle, Bob
McDowell, Joan Mountain, Jan
Silcox, Jared Tuk, and Lisa
Zaucha. Co-Production
Managers are Christina
Maroney and Richard Means.
Among the many
accomplishments of the
recent past, the Geyer also
installed a new heating and
air-conditioning system,
restored the balcony and
front façade, and installed
a computerized lighting and
sound booth.
Take the opportunity to
enjoy community theater at
its finest and visit The
Geyer Performing Arts Center
in Scottdale. People
have the opportunity to
perform, attend, or
volunteer for productions.
Enjoy great entertainment
while still being in a small
town. Call
724-887-0887 or visit
www.geyerpac.com today!
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