1
'I
or Em Hu I (c
), and Rob rt B I.
BENTON HARBOR
REV. WARREN MITCHELL, long tim r Id nt. of Benton Harbor glv s th audlenc a little hlatory
of th State Theater. Standing In front of Mitchell ar m mbera of th Youth For Christ Community
Choir. (photo by Bernice Bro)M'l)
Co
h
By BERNICE BROWN ,
An outdoor celebration was held
recently to celebrate the 50th An
niversary of the old State Theater,
148 W. Main Street, Benton Harbor,
and to pay tribute to Harry Rubin,
former owner.
Sherron Weeks the new owner of
the State Theater purchased the
building from Rubin in March for
$500 and re-named it the Interna
tional Performing Arts Studio.
Although it rained that day, it
didn't stop city offiCials, dignitaries
and the 50 plus youths and adults
from coming out to the outdoor
ceremony where it kicked off a cam
paign to raise money to renovate the
700 seats in the building.
The Youth For Christ Com
munity Choir ,gave the crowd a per
formance they will never forget.
Weeks also entertained the crowd
with a solo.
REV. WARREN MITCHELL,
a long time resident in the com
munity gave a brief history of the
State Theater and talked about the
times he had attended.
Many ntini tel'S and individuals
poke, giving their upport to Weeks
for what he is doing in the com
munity.
Individuals attended or just
topped by were invited to have
refreshments and take a tour.
This summer Weeks aid about
300 youth between the ages of 8-14
will be at the theater, where they will
be trained by Mrs. Bernice Rodgers,
owner of Rodgers.' Upholstery, to re
upholster the seats. Weeks said the
cost tere-upholster each eat will be
approximately $75.00.
Weeks id he king for a
$75.00 donation per seat from b i
ne e and individuals. Each seat
upholstered will have the donor and
the youth name that upholstered tM
seat placed on back of it.
•
We'elcs said the purpose of the
Theatre is to enhance the quality of
life for all residents by providing
training in areas 9f family relation-
hips, arts, values of education and
will also provide positive behavior
alternatives for all youths.
"The Stale International Perform
ing Arts Studios' objective locally is
to address the needs of the residents
of the city with priority given to
youth," Weeks aid. "This facility
. will serve as a cataly t for Change.
We will use this Center to serve as a
clearinghouse for youth activities'
and training."
ry
SHE SAID SOME of the ac
tivities she planned to have at the
threater is talent show , dancing,
music lessons, music recitals, play
and many other things that the youth
would like to do.
Weeks aid the mi ion is to ad
dress the alternative program for
youth and work towards positive be
havior.
Weeks said the studio will belong
to the youth of this city and to all
youth around the world.
The State Tbeaterhas been closed
since 1974.
co
Sporuor,d � tM U.S. S-uJ BauiMu AdMinistration
or Furth r Information .
Call (313) 226·7947 or 7953
, for
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