YOUNGSTOWN, OH – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined local arts leaders at Youngstown Playhouse to show how Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG) have helped local cultural and entertainment businesses survive the pandemic and reopen. Youngstown Playhouse will be open for holiday performances for the first time in two years.

“Thanks to the investments we made with Save Our Stages and the American Rescue Plan, Youngstown Playhouse is open again, and welcoming families for holiday shows for the first time in two years,” said Sen. Brown. “Saving these arts organizations not only supports the performers and the workers, it helps local businesses and the whole city’s economy: People go to a local restaurant before the show, they grab a drink afterward, more people are out and about in downtown. We can’t have a thriving, vibrant city without the arts.”

Sen. Brown was a cosponsor of the Save Our Stages Act, legislation that established the SVOG grants, and helped pass the American Rescue Plan that expanded the program. The program awarded nearly 400 Ohio venues more than $350 million in initial and supplemental rounds of funding – ranking the state eighth for most amount of money received.

“The SVOG grant has been vital in keeping our doors open and helping us to do what we do best: live theatre. It has ensured that this 97-year-old community institution will be around for a 98th year and beyond,” said Dr. John Cox, Board President of the Youngstown Playhouse.

Youngstown Playhouse received more than $108,000 in SVOG funds. The grant was a lifeline for the nearly 100-year-old facility, as it was shuttered for on-site live performances from March 15, 2020 until October 15, 2021. The theatre began performances of the show ‘Elf!’ on December 3, which marked the first large-scale, main-stage production since the pandemic began. The production features a company of 28 artists, including actor Wayne Bonner III, who plays the store manager in the production and spoke at Monday’s event.

So much of who I have become is because of The Youngstown Playhouse. I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing organization!” said Wayne Bonner III.

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