PORT ANGELES — The Lincoln Theatre Renovation Project was given $175,000 during Giving Tuesday this year.
The donation, received from an anonymous, private individual, is earmarked for finalizing the plans for the renovation of the theater at 103 E. First St., in downtown Port Angeles.
“This donation couldn’t come at a more perfect time,” said Ron Graham, incoming president of Ghostlight Productions, in a release.
“As we continue to emerge from COVID-19, our priority has been to get this project back on track.”
Sun Basin Theaters closed the iconic theater, which opened in 1916, in 2014. Ghostlight’s Artistic Director Mark Lorentzen announced its partnership with the theater’s new owners, Marty and Deborah Marchant, during a sell-out run of “Mamma Mia!” in the summer of 2019.
Ghostlight Productions is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit acting as fiscal sponsor for the Lincoln Theatre Renovation.
Plans to restore the 10,000-square-foot facility were put on hold due to the pandemic.
At that time, it was estimated that $2 million would be needed to renovate the building.
“The first set of drawings were preliminary at best and had a different concept of the theatre than what is now intended,” Graham said.
The renovated Lincoln will seat between 380 and 400 patrons on two levels and is designed to include a large 50-foot-by-36-foot proscenium stage for Ghostlight’s live productions, he said.
Plans also include a massive single cinema screen, a redesigned lobby with ADA accessible amenities, orchestra pit, fly-loft and a new façade that pays homage to the original 1916 design.
The plans need to be finalized by an architect to meet what is needed for city approval to move forward with construction, Graham said.
“This donation will get that portion of the ball rolling again.”
More funding is needed to upgrade and remodel the interior, he said.
“The theater is a raw canvas, ready for the next stage,” Graham said.
For general information or to make a donation, go to www.ghostlightwa.org.
For more information, contact info@ghostlightwa.org.
