GREENFIELD — An icon of downtown Greenfield is set to receive a face lift.
Friends of the Theater, a new nonprofit aimed at preserving the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, has announced its first project: to refurbish the facility’s aging marquee.
The estimated $14,000 project includes cosmetic updates, wiring repairs and replacement of all lights to environmentally friendly LED bulbs, according to a news release.
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“When you drive down Main Street, that marquee is one of the first things that ushers you into Greenfield,” board president Amy Studabaker said in a news release. “We want the message it sends to be that visitors are welcome, that this is a place worth stopping.”
Indianapolis-based SignCraft evaluated the marquee — which is structurally sound — and provided a quote to the theater’s owner, the Hancock County Visitors Bureau, which oversees the Friends’ efforts. While the 501c3 nonprofit has been accepting donations on its website, hctheaterfriends.org, for several months, board members hope to ramp up fundraising efforts this December by reviving an old Greenfield tradition that fell by the wayside — a Christmas variety show.
The family-friendly “Christmas at the Ricks,” 7 p.m. Dec. 1 after the downtown parade, features song, dance and instrumental numbers from local groups including Brandywine Wind, Wilkerson Dance, Hearts Ablaze cloggers and more. Beer and wine sponsored by Griggsby’s Station will be available for purchase, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for complimentary photos.
“The Christmas season is all about giving; we want to give our audience a great show, and we hope, in turn, they’ll consider supporting the theater that makes it possible,” board vice president Noelle Russell said.
Friends of the Theater — Hancock County was born out of concern the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts might close after it lost its line item in the county’s budget in the fall of 2017. Members of the arts community met to discuss fundraising options and decided to form a board to assist with projects aimed at keeping the 122 W. Main St. facility open and thriving.
Today, the Friends operates a nine-member board comprised of local performers, business owners and arts supporters. The Ricks welcomes some 50 to 75 acts per year to the theater, which seats more than 350 people.
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In the spirit: The Friends of the Theater presents “Christmas at the Ricks” at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St., following the downtown parade. Performing acts include Brandywine Wind, Greenfield-Central High School Drama Club, Hearts Ablaze cloggers, Mt. Vernon High School Locked Out a capella singers and Wilkerson Dance Studio. Beer and wine sponsored by Griggsby’s Station will be available for purchase, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photos. Tickets are available for $8 at rickschristmas.bpt.me or at the ticket office an hour before showtime. Proceeds benefit efforts to refurbish the Ricks marquee. Learn more about the Friends of the Theater at hctheaterfriends.org.
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