by Eileen Ringnalda
Communications Intern
Iowa State University Extension to Communities
A small town in southern Iowa is a busy place on the weekends. Although the population is only a little more than 1,700, the northwest corner of CorydonÕs town square is full of cars.
The attraction is the only movie theater in a 25-mile radius. But much more than its monopoly of the surrounding area makes the Wayne Theatre unique. Named for its location in Wayne County, it is fully restored and run by volunteers. Only two projectionists are paid as part time employees.
"We have a tremendous number of volunteer groups very interested in community development," said Jan Winslow, the treasurer of Wayne Theatre Inc.
"When we started, we had two main purposes. One was to provide an activity for families in the community and the second was to save the corner of our square," Winslow said.
Residents had talked about doing something with the prominent northwest corner of the town square for a long time. The building had been used off and on for the 10 years prior to the start of the theater project in December 1990.
At that time, WAYCO Arts Council and Corydon Community Betterment Inc. co-signed the loan to purchase the building. The theater is restored to be used for live theater and concerts as well as movies.
"Since it had been a community concern for some time, there was enough excitement and interest that we put out a call for volunteers and that whole first year was just a mammoth volunteer effort," Winslow said. "People saw something very positive happening in their community."
Community volunteers repainted the exterior and refurbished the interior including new curtains and seats. Office space neighboring the theater was remodeled to become rest rooms and a business office.
The volunteer involvement remains high as the ticket takers, concession workers and clean-up crew are all members of various community organizations.
"Going completely volunteer has been a great choice," Winslow said. "We try to give back to the community. We geared it to be for the community and we can afford to do it because we have the community's support."
The Wayne Theatre in Corydon charges only $3 for adults and $2 for children and all concessions are 50 cents. With the volunteer workers, the theater has been able to pay off its loans and keep its low prices.
"We have been able to meet expenses and make money," said manager Bill Gody. "It's a non-profit organization, so the money goes back into the theater or into community projects."
A back room recently was renovated to meet the needs of live performances. Dressing rooms and makeup tables were built for the community theater group and newly formed children's theater.
"The theater has been a tremendous asset. It keeps our community vital. We are small and we need to enrich our own community," Winslow said.
Gody added that the theater keeps residents in town on the weekends and attracts people from surrounding towns that often stop in at Corydon's gas stations, convenience stores and restaurants while in town.
Gody said, "The theater has been a real asset to the community as well as giving the downtown a face lift."
Contacts:
Terry L. Besser, ISU
Extension Sociology, (515) 294-6508
Del Marks, ISU Extension
Communication Systems, (515) 294-9807
