MASSILLON – You could say the Lions Lincoln Theatre’s only full-time employee has his hands full.
The theater, a pillar of downtown Massillon for more than a century, is set for multiple interior and exterior upgrades totaling around $175,000 that are aimed at enhancing the attendee experience and improving safety.
Eric Myers, executive director of the theater, said a series of improvement projects are on the radar for the 1915-built, historic structure at 156 Lincoln Way E. Work is primarily paid for by fundraising efforts, grants and donations.
“It seems there’s always something. We’re finding that it’s been awhile since major work was done,” said Myers, noting that most or all live performances there help to garner money for building repairs or enhancements.
A main project is rebuilding a brick retaining wall along the northeast section of the building’s exterior. An emergency exit door leads to a crumbling cement walkway adjacent to the deteriorating wall, which runs about 15-feet long and 10-feet high.
“That’s probably our biggest thing,” Myers said. “The wall is collapsing, and any heavy rainfall brings some water through the bottom of the (back emergency) door.”
Repairing the wall and replacing concrete walkway and stairway are estimated at approximately $130,000.
Another project in the works is for a new backstage door, aiming to provide better access and safety to the performance stage, as well as handicap accessibility, Myers said.
Cost for the effort is expected to run about $26,000.
Other projects center around remodeling the theater’s downstairs dressing room, reconfiguring the women’s public restroom with wheelchair accessibility and adding new stage lighting, Myers said.
“The goal is to make the theater more attractive to performers and viewers,” said Myers, who lauded the community’s support for the venue.
The dressing room project is estimated at around $14,000, while the stage lights run about $4,000. There is no current estimate for the restroom work.
New lights were provided by the Stark Community Foundation and are to be installed by this fall.
A significant project completed in 2024 was replacing the theater’s boiler and hot water tank, according to Myers, who said grants and matching funds covered the $50,000 price tag.
Upcoming concert aims to raise funds for Lions Lincoln Theatre
The Gale Parsons Band has scheduled an upcoming performance at Lions Lincoln Theatre to assist in raising funds for upgrade work.
Showtime is slated from 7 to 9 p.m. July 19. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased via the theater’s website or by calling 330-481-9105.
The Lions theater hosts about 60 shows a year and can seat 681 people. Donations are accepted at the locale.
Parsons, a Washington High School graduate, is a founding member of the five-member band that started in 1977. He said the band performs classic and soft rock music. The group is honored to perform at the Lions’ venue, he said.
Additional band members are Rich Waller, Gary DeFine, Keven Scarpino and Tim Benner.
“We’re a Massillon band and do a lot of concerts like this,” Parsons said. “We hope a lot of people come out to see us and benefit the theater.”
Reach Steven Grazier at [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
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