The Gerald Community Theatre group has been working to raise funds to purchase the old theater at 353 S. Main Street built in 1932. 

So far, the group has been able to accumulate about $20,000 as a down payment towards the $55,000 purchase price. They hope to find an investor to finance the remaining $35,000. 

The non-profit group says there are many grants available to renovate historic theaters, but none to help with the purchase of the building. 

Once renovated, the group plans to use the building to host community musical groups, weekend movies, drama workshops, children’s theater, talent shows, concerts and more. 

Other parts of the building will be used to provide a technology center, including a tech shop which can be utilized for making home projects, robotics, coding, 3-D printing, hydroponics, class space rentals and environmental activities. 

The group also envisions the space as a place to hold weddings, church services and dinner shows. 

Once renovations are complete, the group projects ticket and concession sales, venue rentals, donations and fund-raisers as the path to keep the dream financially viable. 

Kathy Foy, president of the Gerald Community Theatre, hopes to have the purchase finalized later this month. With that in place, the group could open the Tech Shop by the end of March. Using a volunteer work team, along with a professional designer, most of the group’s dreams could be realized in the next fourteen months. 

A GoFundMe account has been set up on the Gerald Theatre Facebook page. Donations can also be mailed in care of the Gerald Historical Society, P.O. Box 330, Gerald, MO 63037.

Organizers hope the renovation of the 30’ by 80’ brick building will serve as a catalyst to revitalizing the town’s Main Street, create jobs and strengthen the identity of the community.