Ohio University and Stuart's Opera House
Team Up For 2000-2001 Performance Season
Contact: Gretchen L. Stephens (740) 593-1762
ATHENS, Ohio (June 6, 2000) -- A collaborative effort between Nelsonville's Stuart's Opera
House and Ohio University will help ensure the historic opera house's
future.
For the past year, the university's Office of Public Occasions have
been providing assistance to the opera house's staff and board of
directors in the areas of programming and expanding Stuart's
performance offerings. For the first time, the opera house will offer
a 10-show season beginning in the fall.
Stuart's Board of Trustees President Frederick L. Oremus noted that
Ohio University's involvement has been quite significant. "The
tremendous amount of personnel and financial support provided by Ohio
University has made a real difference in our potential for future
success and has allowed us to keep the opera house open.
"The Public Occasions staff has great expertise in presenting the
performing arts to the community, and their work has had a definite
impact on our viability."
Ohio University President Robert Glidden said, "I am delighted that we
have been able to participate in the growth and development of
Stuart's Opera House. It truly is a historic gem, and the entire
southeastern Ohio area will benefit from its increased programming
activity."
Located on Nelsonville's Victorian Public Square, Stuart's opened in
1879 and maintained operations until 1924. In 1980, the building was
nearly destroyed by a fire. It reopened in 1997 after an extensive
renovation and restoration effort by the Hocking Valley Museum of
Theatrical History, the Baird Brothers Company Foundation and
Nelsonville community members.
