By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
One of the first bowling alleys in Hays, The Playmore, at 116 E. 11th, most recently home to the ARC Thrift Shop, is currently in pretty rough shape. Walls are being stripped and painted, floors are being replaced and stairways are being built as the Hays Community Theatre pushes toward more plays in The Playmore.
The Playmore was built in 1938 being home to four bowling lanes, snooker and pool tables, and a snack bar. Work by HCT volunteers has brought some of the original look back to light, under the direction of Pamela Grizzell, chairwoman of the HCT venue committee.
“Right now, we’re doing all the renovations,” she said. The venue will provide the HCT a home it has been searching for, she said, giving the group the ability to be more active.
“We’ve had a community theater in Hays for about 13 years now. We became a 501(c)3 a few years ago when we became the Hays Community Theatre,” Grizzell said. “The last 13 years, we’ve been renting various facilities (but) we’ve never really had a place to call home.”
“We’re very excited about 116 E. 11th because now we’ll be able to provide year-round programming including children’s theater,” she said.
Even without the permanent facility, the HCT has been putting on shows thanks to donors and contributors. They have hosted two to four shows a year according to Grizzell and with the new location, the HCT has even more potential to bring in help with productions.
“We’re looking forward to working with new donors, now that we are part of the Chestnut Street District,” she said. “It seems that will be be available to work with more grant writers and things to help enhance downtown Hays, which is very exciting. We’re extremely thrilled about our neighbors a couple doors down the street with the Hays Arts Council. … Brenda Meder (director of the Hays Arts Council) has already popped in for a visit and, we’re looking at coordinating with her on a few projects.
The size of the facility is also exciting to the HCT.
“Our facility is about 3,000 square feet. When all done, the theater will seat around 96. We’ll have a breakdown stage that we can move to different parts of the theater, so at times it’ll be in the far back seating 96 and other times the stage will be moved and will have seating around three sides for something more intimate, say maybe a small Shakespeare.”
The group will also use the basement, currently being restored to its original look, to offer the community another venue for gatherings and events.
“Downstairs, there’s a really cool room,” Grizzell said. “It’s completely surrounded with wood. It’s very antique looking, reminiscent of a day gone by and so we’re looking at renting out The Playmore Room to help keep our doors open and get us some of the funding that we’ll need.”
The venue will be open during the Bargains on the Bricks — 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday — giving the public an opportunity to see the work with other activities promoting the HCT.
“We’re going to be open that day for ticket sales. We also have a raffle going on to help pay for upcoming production of ‘Legally Blonde.’ We’ll be having a garage sale in the opposite side of the building, which will not be the theater, and a bake sale as well, so if people want a sneak peek for themselves, if they want to come in and see with their own eyes what they’re doing and check out if, maybe that’s something they would like to volunteer for, they’re welcome to stop by on the 18th from 7:30 to 4 and be glad to say hello,” Grizzell said.
The next HCT production will be “Legally Blonde,” beginning July 23.