Evansville Civic Theatre (ECT) has called The Old Columbia Theatre home since 1974.
But it needs a totally new HVAC system, new carpet and a wiring and plumbing upgrade. And a new marquis. These “bare bones” repairs were estimated to be about $115,000, more than the ECT could stomach. So, the ECT has decided to move.
“There are many, many, many costly repairs that need to be done to the building if we intend to stay here long term,” said Creative Director Kevin Roach. “So that kind of fueled our decision to jump at this opportunity.”
That opportunity is to move into the Veterans Memorial Coliseum — once renovations are complete.
At the Wednesday news conference when Roach made the announcement, he said transitioning to the Coliseum will be like a homecoming.
“And this move is bittersweet, but times change. And the time has come for the Evansville Civic Theater to move on to a bigger, brighter future. Back to our beginnings. Ultimately, this is the plan they have as a Civic Theater plans to return to what we consider its first official home. The Evansville Veterans Memorial Coliseum.”
Roach also announced the slate of shows this season — the last at the current location. These include “Tick Tick Boom,” “Fairview,” and “Steel Magnolias.”
They’ll close the season on Fulton Avenue with “Big Fish” and move temporarily to Benjamin Bosse High School, where they’ll have performances and also work with students on stage productions.
Principal Aaron Huff said he’s excited to partner with the ECT for their Bosse Theater Project. “So it's a unique project,” he said. “It takes the stories of our students, their families and the community and, and creates a theatrical production and delivers that on our stage.”
Other speakers included Vanderburgh County Council President John Montrastelle to talk about the coliseum renovations, and Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana Executive Director Anne McKim who expressed support for the move.
Roach hopes the eventual move to the coliseum makes their theater more accessible.
“So maybe in this newer, bigger venue, kind of like you automatically associate the Evansville Philharmonic, with the Victory (Theatre), people will start to associate the Civic Theatre with the Coliseum and it will become just kind of a destination.”
While Roach isn't sure what will become of the Old Columbia Theatre once they leave, he doubts the building will remain, under new land owners.
