Exciting News: Geauga Theater's New Chapter
Fairmount Center for the Arts is thrilled to announce that Chardon City Council has selected their bid with A1 Center Holdings LLC, to assume ownership of the Geauga Theater in Chardon. A1 Center Holdings LLC will be taking over ownership, while Fairmount will manage day-to-day operations of the theater. In addition to the theater programming, Fairmount will continue to offer its performing and visual arts education programs at its locations in Novelty and Chardon.
“We were thrilled to see our bid selected by the city to assume ownership of the Geauga Theater,” said Fairmount Executive Director, Elizabeth Bolander. “For 55 years, our organization has been committed to bringing meaningful arts experiences to the community, and we believe that experience will be an asset to the theater and its future.”
Following the theater's transfer from the city, exterior and interior renovations are expected to begin in January 2027, with the grand opening celebration in June. The renovations will be overseen by Adam Fleder, owner of A1 Center Holdings LLC, who has more than sixty years experience in historic preservation and is the current Chairman of the Peninsula Foundation. Select programs will be held leading up to the grand opening.
“As part of our community programming, we look forward to offering a range of programming, including concerts, films and partnerships with local theatre groups,” said Bolander. “We’re excited about the opportunity to operate the theater with local perspectives in mind, build on the theater’s legacy and look forward to creating a space for the Chardon community.”
The City of Chardon initially issued a call for bids in May, with four organizations, including Fairmount, submitting bids. "On behalf of our dedicated City Council, I welcome Fairmount Center for the Arts and their partner to the City of Chardon as the new owners of our historic Geauga Theater. We look forward to their welcoming community engagement, their wide variety of on-stage performances, and their commitment to maintaining Geauga Theater as a cultural location for all to enjoy for many years,” said City of Chardon Mayor, Christopher Grau. “This decision to release our ownership was difficult due to the many qualified organizations that reached out with proposals. Thank you to all community groups and individuals who encouraged our selection of Fairmount Center for the Arts and A1 Center Holdings LLC as the new owners of the Geauga Theater."
