RENAISSANCE at the RENAISSANCE—

It sits like an architectural piñata on Park Ave West in Mansfield.

The Renaissance Theater’s façade is now a mixture of downtown storefront, a marquee from another theater in the city’s past, a very modern expansion and, on the face of the second floor, memories of a venerable local radio station.

To reveal the inner jewel of the piñata patrons now walk through a relocated entrance which leads into a 23,000 square foot, 5.4 million dollar expansion ultimately raising the curtain on the interior of the grand, 80 year old theater long celebrated by Mansfield area patrons.

The recently completed addition and renovations include major improvements to public and production areas, a larger entrance and lobby, more than double the restroom capacity, greater handicap accessibility including a new elevator, expanded concessions, a new box office, and improved acoustic properties for the main theater.

There is a new climate control system replacing the ancient 8-boiler concoction.

“It is a wonderful addition and really adds to the entire experience...of being a theatre guest,” past president and CEO Terri Bergman explained. Well known, local jeweler Michael Miller assumed that role January 1st.

“No longer are our patrons bumping into each other. There is just a gracious environment to enjoy,” she continued.

Regarding the previous, very crowded entrance and lobby area, she quipped, “There are many an event where I have worn a glass of wine.”

Those days are now gone.

That’s Stage I of the theater’s “Imagine” campaign. Phase II, a 2.8 million dollar campaign is on the drawing board.

Regarding this huge theater improvement, she concluded, “We believe it is a wonderful addition not only to the theatre but, as a statement on Park Avenue West, that there is a new energy in Mansfield, Ohio.”

This is the theater's new, main entrance interior, 30 x 70 foot lobby and concession area.  Directly above it (in the top photo) is an area described as the glass bridge and additional mingling space.  In the small photo (lower right) is a stylized "R", the symbol of the Renaissance Theater, pictured aglow in a large conference table, visible at night from Park Ave.