The Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, an arts education organization and volunteer acting troupe formed in 1954, dissolved on Monday when its four last remaining board members resigned.
The Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, an arts education organization and volunteer acting troupe formed in 1954, dissolved on Monday when its four last remaining board members resigned.
“The Board has labored to save the organization over the last four months since learning the full scope of the issues and debt burden that we uncovered in January,” according to a statement. “But in the end, our efforts could not overcome those challenges as well as recent circumstances.”
On March 19 the Guild suspended all operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, canceling the remainder of the 2020 season and spring educational classes.
Tom Bryant, the board’s vice president, confirmed the resignations. President Justin Simons, Treasurer Jay White and Recording Secretary Mel May were the other board members.
The decisions come after tumultuous year in which longtime part-time employees were eliminated in January of 2019. And the board announced it would part ways with executive director Erika Hansen on Jan. 28 of this year.
The Guild also vacated the Jasmine Dragons building at the end of February a year after that collaboration started.
What’s next for the Historic Geauga Theater at 101 Water Street and the annex building across the street?
That question will begin to be addressed by Chardon City Council at Thursday’s regular meeting. The city owns both buildings and had lease agreements with the Guild for $1 per year, said Chardon Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney.
In 2018 the city facilitated grant money for various upgrades to the Geauga Theater, including an expansion of the women’s restroom, Yaney said. The terms of that grant money mandated the building be used for the arts in the near future.
“It is our sincere hope that the arts and live theater will flourish again in Geauga County, in better times and under better circumstances,” according to the Guild’s statement. “When that day arrives, those efforts will need the generous support that so many have shown the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild during its existence. We look forward to that day.”
