Greensburg, PA - Westmoreland Cultural Trust is thrilled to announce a $700,000 renovation project at The Palace Theatre.  Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the theatre will undergo painting and plastering of the auditorium and lobby areas, ceiling and roof repairs, electrical upgrades, stage repairs, awning replacement, dressing room enhancements and general cosmetic improvements.  The project, generously funded by the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation and state grants, is already underway and is scheduled to be completed by September 30.  General contractor is Caliber Contracting Services Inc. of Pittsburgh.
“With the success of The Palace over the past five to seven years and the growth in the number of shows and attendance, the theatre requires some tender loving care,” said Mike Langer, President of Westmoreland Cultural Trust.  
With an investment of more than $18.8 million in community restoration since its inception in 1990, Westmoreland Cultural Trust has been an engine of change, bringing renewed life to some of the most venerable and historically significant buildings in Greensburg – the most paramount being The Palace Theatre.  
The Palace is at the heart of Westmoreland County’s Cultural District and a substantial contributor to the economic development of the area.  According to a 2014 independent economic impact study, The Palace’s yearly impact to the community is $8.98 million, hosting more than 140 shows and events annually and drawing approximately 75,000 visitors to patronize local businesses, restaurants, hotels and shops.
The Palace Theatre serves as a beacon for performing arts organizations in the area and provides a historic and theatrical venue for community artists. Local organizations Stage Right, Laurel Ballet Performing Company, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, River City Brass, and numerous other community partners all call The Palace Theatre home.  The Palace provides a venue for hundreds of local high school students to perform.   By subsidizing $36,000 in annual theatre rentals to non-profit performing arts peers, The Palace ensures a vast and thriving cultural experience in Greensburg and Westmoreland County.
Westmoreland Cultural Trust and The Palace Theatre strive to give back to the patrons and residents of the county.  Many programs and events are offered throughout the year including TGIS (Thank Goodness It’s Summer), a free concert series every Thursday evening during the summer months in the S&T Bank Courtyard & Megan’s Suite of The Palace Theatre; ROCK The PALACE (formerly Battle of the Bands), an event that provides a concert-style platform on stage for local musicians; and the annual Achievement in the Arts Awards Celebration honoring the creative endeavors of Westmoreland County high school seniors in the categories of music, theatre and visual art. The Trust recently announced a new initiative offering subsidized art studios for striving young artists and incubator office space for startup entrepreneurs.
With an operating cost of almost $1.25 million last year, none of these achievements would be possible without the help of grants and philanthropic support.  The Palace Theatre, like most all non-profit owned theatre organizations in the nation, cannot be financially sustainable through ticket sales alone.  The Palace Theatre must rely on community support in order to achieve this cultural and economic infusion into the region.
What began as the crown jewel of the Manos Theatre empire in 1926 has continued throughout the years to be at the center of artistic activity in the Greensburg area.  Likely the largest cultural destination in Westmoreland County, The Palace Theatre draws patrons from all over Pennsylvania and surrounding states to see national touring acts in first-class performances, and high-quality regional concerts, musical theatre and dance productions.


About Westmoreland Cultural Trust:
Westmoreland Cultural Trust is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate cultural and economic development in the Westmoreland County region, to promote the performing arts; preserve and enhance the region’s assets for the benefit of the community.  Visit us on the web at www.westmorelandculturaltrust.org