Under the warm lights on the stage of the Brown Grand Theatre, young performers and career artists uplift the world of entertainment. Nestled in comfortable rows of chairs in the crowd are audience members; some may find their first love during a performance. The community has the opportunity to help keep this love alive for generations to come, as critical items – like Brown Grand’s dimmer rack – are on the brink of failure.
The theatre's historic walls foster romance, but the elements that create the wondrous atmosphere are in trouble, as readers learned in last week’s edition. Yet, the Brown Grand Board of Directors, staff and volunteers continue to work hard to ensure its 118-year legacy and its future.
“It’s an amazing space, especially for a small community,” said Brown Grand Board of Director Secretary Julia Galm. “You step inside, and it’s like another world. The architecture, the acoustics – it feels grand, but also welcoming.”
The dedicated board members include president Monte Wentz, vice president Jasmine Conner, secretary Julia Galm, Susan Bauer, Dorothy Breault, Julia Burr-Roveti, Pam Campbell, Steve Elstrom, Brandon Galm, Whitney Jones, Mikki Nelson, Janet Pearson, Karen Reedy and Charles Patrick Roveti.
According to Brown Grand Executive Director Melissa Swenson, the board strives to continue the theatre’s mission to enhance cultural life in North Central Kansas by pouring their love, time and talents into the theatre.
Galm saw this love when she first arrived in Concordia, and since joining the board in March 2021, she’s witnessed the theatre’s importance to the community that surrounds it and beyond.
“It’s an amazing resource for the community… we’ve had proposals, memorial services, graduation services, birthday parties and more,” Galm said.
Most of the theatre’s lighting equipment is over 40 years old, and repairs are no longer an option. The Brown Grand has always been a grassroots-driven organization. From past restorations to today’s needs, they can’t do what they do without ongoing support from the community. To become a state-of-the-art historic theatre, the theatre needs everyone to show the Brown Grand a little love by helping them replace our antiquated lighting and sound systems.
You can help keep the love alive at the Brown Grand by helping them close the gap to reach the $402,000 goal for “Giving Voice to the Past, Illuminating the Future” this year. A gift in any amount will help bring this project to fruition. To make a tax-deductible donation to support this timely lighting and sound project, mail a gift to: The Brown Grand Opera House, PO Box 347, Concordia, KS 66901. Checks made payable to the Brown Grand, or give securely online at: www.browngrand.org/donate-now. For more information, reach out to Brown Grand Executive Director Melissa Swenson at 785-243-2553.
