By Associated Press
Pikeville, KY – The only professional theatre company in Kentucky located east of Interstate 75 is moving to a new home.
Jenny Wiley Theatre has decided to call Pikeville home after 47 years in Prestonsburg, according to the Appalachian News-Express.
The move comes after Pikeville officials agreed last week to contribute $1.2 million toward the construction of a theater and $50,000 annually for at least 20 years for operational costs, according to Pikeville City Manager Donovan Blackburn.
He says construction on the new facility is slated to begin in January. It will be a 300- to 400-seat indoor venue, which will allow year-round productions. Blackburn said that's something the open-air amphitheater in Prestonsburg couldn't offer.
"If they have any inclement weather at all, it shoots the show," Blackburn said. "With this new venue, they will be able to perform year-round and perform productions which cannot be held at an amphitheater."
The agreement calls for a minimum of five theatrical performances each year in Pikeville and allows up to two performances each year in Prestonsburg. It also allows the possibility of a name change.
In addition, the theatre group will host children's productions, dinner theaters and workshops, Blackburn said.
The agreement is the latest of several announcements about economic developments and quality of life improvements in the city and the region, Blackburn said.
"This is not about the City of Pikeville," Blackburn said. "It's about the region. It's a major win for our area."
He said the theatre would complement other tourism attractions in the area such as Stone Crest Golf Course in Prestonsburg, Breaks Interstate Park and the Artists Collaborative Theatre in Elkhorn City, which features local actors.
Blackburn said he couldn't estimate how much of an economic impact the theatre would have on the city, but expected it to be millions of dollars.
"The city will be repaid in dividends," he said.