Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Lights. Camera. Action. The stage is set at the Damm Theatre in Osgood for some spectacular entertainment the whole family can enjoy.

According to Steve Gloyd, executive director of the Gilmore and Golda Reynolds Foundation, owner of the theatre, the future holds many options for the theatre.

An open house held Sunday, December 28 was the kick off to the completely renovated building. A free movie, The Polar Express, was shown Monday evening and the regular movie schedule begins this Friday, January 2, 3, and 4 with Four Christmases (rated PG13) showing. Admission prices will be $4.00 for children 12 and under and seniors 60 and older. Others will be charged $6.00.

Along with showing movies, there are plans to bring in a variety of live stage entertainment including comedy, musicals, a magician and more. The Jac-Cen-Del Drama Club is already planning a live production in the spring.

“We’ll try everything once and repeat what works,” Gloyd told the Osgood Journal. Those in charge of the foundation say they’ll find out what the community wants and go with it just as they did in restoring the theatre. When they polled the community a few years ago, the highest percentage of people responding said they would like to see the theatre restored.

A steady flow of people came through the doors of the Damm Theatre on Sunday for the first glimpse of the newly renovated historic building. Shirley Dunbar, owner of the Card and Gift Gallery next door to the theatre was first through the doors with a beautiful floral arrangement to commemorate the occasion and welcome her new neighbor.

Some visitors were seeing the theatre for the first time ever, others were remembering the old one and marveling at the state-of-the-art completed project. “People started coming at 11:30 and it’s been steady all day," noted Ann Black and Karen Black, who greeted guests at the front door.
“It’s really something,” Bob Damm said as he came through the front door into the spacious entry way on Sunday. He is the last of the Damm family to own the theatre that dates back to 1914 when his grandfather, Louis, built the first theatre in Osgood. “Grandma would love this,” Bob’s wife, Judy, shared of his mother, Viola Damm, who “kept the theatre going even when she wasn’t making any money.” She passed away in 1989 and the movies were truly silent.

“I’m glad to see the theatre be a cause to bring people into town,” Bob told the Osgood Journal. Both things mean so much to him - the theatre and the town of Osgood. Then with a twinkle in his eye, proving he still has a sense of humor, he said, “I was going to restore this (theatre) myself, but I ran out of petty cash!” The Damms are grateful to the foundation for making the theatre a wonderful place for the community to enjoy.

The theatre was purchased from the Damm family for $60,000 in January of 2005. The project of restoration was awarded to a local contractor, the Poole Group of Dillsboro in December of 2006. By January of 2007 the initial work was begun to transform the facility from a non-usable one to the 9,469 square feet movie goers now see.

With none of the original theatre in salvageable condition, Gloyd said everything inside is new. The building was completely gutted and the massive undertaking begun. Almost two years later the final product was well worth the wait. Oh, there is one thing original in the building. A portion of an east brick wall on the upper level in an office remains in tact.

The décor is second to none with a visitor who has been involved in theatre in California and New York commenting on the exquisite beauty of the facility. She told one of the greeters it was actually nicer than some she had worked in.

The rich gold colors on the walls of the lobby are complimented with red trim and tin-stamped ceilings. The spacious entrance boasts concessions to the right and large restrooms to the left. Taking the left or right you will come into the grand theatre room which seats 400. The carpeted aisles and comfortable seats are surrounded by deep navy walls accented with red and gold.

There is seating on three levels, something different from the original building. Matter of fact, the second floor used to be a dance hall and place to roller skate. That level was opened and the roof raised, creating a lofty space.

The stage is complete with a backstage area designed for set building. There are two dressing rooms. The lighting boasts the latest technology with 86 stage lights and a moveable spotlight. The 24-speaker system has Dolby digital surround sound.

The projection/control room is the heartbeat of the facility. Housed there is the 35 millimeter projector and platter system. Spencer Huffmeyer, grandson of Doug Thayer, treasurer for the foundation, has been very involved with the theatre. He explained that the free movie, The Polar Express, came on five reels which were spliced together and put on the platter, which threaded through the projector. Spencer says he’s hoping to be involved more with the live productions planned by Jac-Cen-Del, where he is a freshman.

The movie screen will electronically drop down when movies are played and will be rolled up for the live productions.

Coming to the open house brought back memories for many. Carol Holcomb of Versailles said she saw one of the first Disney movies to hit the big screen right at the Damm Theatre when she was five-years-old. The movie was about a cat and she said, “I cried.” But, she was laughing, remembering the memory and hoping to come to many events at the theatre that took her back to her childhood. Her husband said he hopes to see some wholesome family movies.

Wilbur Myers of Holton said he remembers coming to the movies as a child and even purchased two of the old seats. “I think popcorn was a nickel back then,” he laughed.

Others were remembering where they sat, the concessions, and the whole ambiance of movie going at the Damm Theatre. They admit it’s definitely different and are looking forward to its return.
Whether coming in or going out, the brilliantly restored marquee lights the way and announces the "Damm Theatre” just above the door. This piece of history is now preserved for generations thanks to the generosity of an Osgood couple and the foresight of a board of directors.

Members of the foundation include: President, Mike Black, Vice-President, Dwight Hooton, Secretary, Neil Comer, Treasurer, Doug Thayer, and Steve Gloyd, executive director.

The community is encouraged to take advantage of the theatre and support this effort to bring quality entertainment close to home.