Gilmer Arts Sets the Stage for the Future

Community

There is something very special and beautiful about a lit marquee on a dark night as you stroll down the sidewalk arm in arm with a special someone on your way to the theater. It’s a movie-dream finally come true to Ellijay.

Gilmer Arts is currently in the process of renovating a new space on Dalton Street to become the George Link, Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse.John Rathbone, President of the Gilmer Arts Board of Directors, knew as early as 2012 of a need for more space, saying without it,

“We’d just be running into one another all the time.”

Idea-RenderingAccording to Rathbone, this playhouse will likely seat 150-160 people, provide concessions, and host a gallery gathering area. They plan to host a myriad of events which could include music, drama, cinema, cabaret, and dinner theaters among others yet to come. Rathbone says,

“Our goal is to have probably 80 nights a year that we produce, and then it’ll be available maybe another 80 nights a year for other events… So, I would say there’ll be something going on, once we get everything rolling, most every week.”

The building, located next door to Dalton State College, also takes advantage of the large parking lot behind the building for these events as the playhouse will be accessible from both sides of the building.

They are also planning to provide this area for the community use for needs of larger spots for anything from office events and meetings to Classes for Dalton State to Seminars and Conventions. Possibilities are unknown as the project is still in the very early stages.

It’s quite heartening to see organizations still pursuing the Arts in all its forms. Ideas like this bring the city to life, breathing in and out as the marquee lights flicker on and off. Music and Drama flows out into the street like a cool breeze, drawing people in to shake off the rain, relax, and lose themselves in the atmosphere of whatever event proceeds the night.

However, a dream like this does not just happen. The hard work has already begun and the George Link, Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse is on its way to lighting up Dalton Street, but the project cannot be completed without help.

The project was made possible and jump started by a charitable donation from the George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust. This Trust also host a scholarship fund. According to Gilmer Arts, this was “created to allow us to give out three scholarships each year to graduating High School seniors in Gilmer County (including home school, private school, charter school, virtual and public school) who are going on to college to pursue degrees in the performing arts, visual arts and literary arts.”

DSC05530Though the initial donation got it started, the George Link, Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse is still in need. Like the support posts in the building, it’s the people of the community who hold this project up.

Gilmer Arts has set up their Capital Campaign, offering donor recognition on several levels. The highest of honors will name the theater and the gallery for donors of $100,000.

Memorial Name Plaques will be placed in the Playhouse Gallery Donors who will also receive season tickets for a number of years; 6 years for $60,000, 5 years for $40,000, 4 years for $30,000, and 3 years for $20,000.

For other donations, Gilmer Arts will still provide honors including: a smaller plaque in the Playhouse Gallery with two seats named and two season tickets for two years for $10,000, two seats named and two season tickets for one year for $8,000, and one seat named and two tickets to two events for two years for $4,000.

Finally, Gilmer Arts will offer the honors of your names listed in the playbills and programs as Playhouse Donors for donations of $2,000 and $1,000 with the $2,000 donors also receiving two tickets to one event.

DSC05576Gilmer Arts will not wait for the building, however, as they continue to bring Ellijay arts programs, performances, and classes in their main office and gallery. They will continue presenting shows like The Savannah Disputation in September, a Halloween family-friendly production of The Canterville Ghost, another of the Sam Club Mystery Dinner Theatres in January, and Grace and Glory in late May and early June.

Gilmer Arts will also be introducing a Community Chorus with Auditions on August 25th and bringing back the B.E.S.T. Series beginning in November.

BEST-Series

These are just a couple of events that would move to the new playhouse as it is completed.

As the construction and renovation moves forward, FYN will continue to offer updates as progress continues. Ultimately, we hope to present the grand opening of George Link, Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse in Ellijay as a home for the future of live entertainment and performing arts in our community.

2 Comments

  1. Back Porch Bistro August 8, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    We can not wait to have you as a neighbor and we are looking forward to cater to your visitors with yummy meals! Good luck on the build out.

  2. Tommie Wiseman August 10, 2015 at 1:06 pm

    So excited about the theater coming to Ellijay!! Love the marquee! Will add so much to our sweet, beautiful hometown. Come on everyone, lets donate and get this done!

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