When necessary budget cuts were announced, including closing the Ohio Theatre for movies due to the departure of Merillat Industries in Loudonville, Ohio, three local high school girls stepped into action.

On April 13, 2002 a community talent show performance will be held at the Ohio Theatre. Three Loudonville High School Freshmen, Aimee Briscoe, Marissa Lunt and Katherine Lunt are organizing the event among their peers at the High School and including talent acts from the Loudonville-Mohican area.

In addition to the live performances, 250 students are donating $1.00 to match a $250.00 donation provided by Loudonville Village Councilman, Harold Schmidt, representing one month’s salary of a Village Councilman.

The girls will also be personally collecting stories about past memories of the Ohio Theatre from area residents and then posting the stories and pictures on the walls of the Ohio Theatre the day of the event.

Program sponsorships are available for a $15 to $25 donation. Sponsors will be listed in the program the day of the event.

The Loudonville Theatre Advisory Committee, (LTAC) was approached by the students and asked to help them with their effort. LTAC has agreed to help the students collect the money and then turn the funds over to the Loudonville Recreation Board to keep the Ohio Theatre open for movies as long as possible. It is unclear at this time how long the Ohio Theatre will be able to stay open for movies due to this fundraiser, therefore all proceeds collected the day of the show will be used to help restore the facility.

For more information on how you can participate and help the students, please mail contributions to:
LTAC Junior Committee
P.O. Box 241
Loudonville, OH 44842
Checks should be made payable to LTAC.


In their own words:
“Due to the recent financial climate of our community we have become worried about the effects of the present problems on activities for area citizens, especially our youth. We wanted to help in any way we can, and have been thinking of ways to do it for several weeks. We went online and looked at the Ohio Theatre’s website www.ohiotheatre.org, and that’s when it came to us to have a talent show. Our plan at this time is to put on a talent show for the community, by the community, and we need your help. It is going to be at the Ohio Theatre and all profits made will go directly to the theatre. The theatre has been part of all of our lives for many years, and it would be a shame to let it become shutdown, so as residents or patrons of this area we ask that you consider being a sponsor. Thanks again for your support, and trying your best to help us.”