Public Awareness Report for The REES Theatre Project
2016
Dec. 29, 2016 - Announcement of Danielson Gift to Wythougan Valley Preservation Council to purchase the historic REES Theatre.
2017
Jan. 26, - Property is conveyed to Wythougan Valley Preservation Council.
Feb. 2, - First Town Hall Meeting held at The Wild Rose Moon 60+ in attendance.
Those present were challenged to ‘Imagine The Possibilities’
Ideas gathered were in support of having musicals, recitals, travelogues, community meeting space, an event center, Saturday movie matinees, children’s theater, ecumenical church services, dinner theaters, comedy club, and corporate training center.
April 22, 23 - Community Tour of the REES, open to the Public
Press release sent to media and community supporters.
Plymouth Chamber sent release to 800 Chamber members
Radio stations donated commercials
Members of The REES Theatre Committee talk on MAX and WTCA radio stations in Plymouth
Facebook and Instagram posts
Oct. - Participated in downtown community scarecrow contest – REES - 2nd place –
Aug. - REES Presentation at Town Hall Meeting (Wild Rose Moon stage)
Dec. - Marshall County Historical Society Quarterly – Plymouth Theatres, highlighting
the history of The REES Theatre
2018
Winter - Crossroads Newsletter by Marshall County Museum – article on REES Theatre
with proposed plan and fundraising information
Jan. – NIPSCO TV commercial with The REES Theatre in 3 of the 5 commercials they
aired on South Bend/Elkhart stations and Prime Time Olympics
Feb. - REES Theatre presents ‘Show Your Theatre Some Love’ campaign
Brochure and posters distributed to banks, tourism, chamber, museum & available at REES
Playbills placed on the exterior of the theatre
Press release sent to media and community supporters
Plymouth Chamber sent release to 800 Chamber members
Radio stations donated commercials
Members of The REES Theatre Committee talk on MAX and WTCA radio stations in Plymouth
Plymouth Chamber gave The REES the front window display at their location
Facebook and Instagram posts
Newspaper ads promoting campaign, placement donated by the newspaper.
May - PHS students record video to promote sale of theater seats as fundraiser.
June - “An evening of R & R” the Rail and the Rees. Area restaurant/bar, Brass Rail hosted a fundraising event. Newspaper ads, radio commercials and posters distributed.
Aug. - “Supportin’ & Pullin’ for the REES, Pulled pork Fund Raiser. (Coffee Lodge & Bakery) Dine in or carry out - Radio commercials (donated)
Newspaper ads (donated)
Sept. - SAVE THE REES - Displayed moving banner in Blueberry Festival Parade
After parade, banner went to Parks Dept. on main street in Plymouth for 6 mo.
REES Theatre - newspaper ad, sharing the plan and thanking community for continued support.
Downtown Plymouth Historic Walking Tour - “A Night to Remember”
Presented by the Marshall County Historical Society and Tri Kappa Sorority REES Theatre was part of the tour and reached people we had not seen before.
Radio Commercials - three commercials on ways to donate to the REES.
Newspaper ads - four ads on ways to donate to the REES.
Business Connections ad by NIPSCO’s Business Energy Efficiency Programs
Oct. - “Puttin’ on the REES” Fundraiser, an evening of festivity, sharing the plan and raising money with silent and live auction items (300 attended)
Newspaper ads, posters, radio, online advertising.
‘Participated in downtown community scarecrow contest - REES - 3rd place news ad acknowledging the winners.
Nov. - Shop Small Business Day in downtown Plymouth, REES open for tours.
Downtown Christmas Sidewalk Days - REES open with carolers.
Dec. - Newspaper Special Charity Tabloid - placed ad that shared money raised to date.
Window Display in Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.
2019
Feb. - “Act II’ Campaign launched - Playbills at theatre, brochures, poster distributed radio commercials, online.
Mar. - Marshall County Historical Museum -Window Display
Apr. - REES SCREEN TEST – Trivia Night Fundraiser
Advertised with posters, newspaper ads, radio commercials and online.
May - Andy Davis & Little Orphan Andy Concert Fundraiser - Posters, tent cards, online advertising.
Pilot News –Window Display
Marquee Changes
2017 - 39 messages
2018 - 132 messages
2019 - 96 messages
FUNDRAISERS
Ongoing
A) REES Theatre Seats
B) REES T-shirts
C) REES Jewelry
D) REES Greeting Cards, Christmas and all-occasion
E) REES Marquee Messages
F) REES Marquee Sponsorship of the Month
OTHER
REES item sales
Marshall County Historical Museum
Heartland Artists Gallery
Fernbaugh’s Jewelers
PHS Alumni All Class Challenge
Indian Motorcycle Raffle – Evan & Darla Gast
‘R & R’ at the Brass Rail
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Sale – Coffee Lodge & Bakery
Opie’s Office
Puttin’ on the REES Gala – Christo’s Banquet Center
King’s Jewelry
REES Screen Test Trivia Night – Knights of Columbus
Plymouth High School Play/Bob Pickell
Plymouth High School Variety Show/Bob Pickell
Andy Davis/Little Orphan Andy Concerts – River Park Square
PRESS RELEASES FOR REES THEATRE
2017
April - ‘Council approves rebate for Rees work’ - Pilot News
April - ‘An event is coming to a theater near you’ - Pilot News
April - ‘NIPSCO Becomes REES First Corporate Sponsor’ - Area newspapers, Radio, TV
May - ‘NIPSCO retrofitting Rees’ marquee with LEDs’ - Pilot News
May - ‘REES Endowment Fund established’ – Pilot News
June - ‘Regional Cities money sought for REES Theatre’ - Pilot News
Aug. - ‘Community meeting next week for REES Theatre - Pilot News
Aug. - ‘Rees Theatre group seeks public help for urgent work’ - Pilot News
Aug. - ‘Business Plan unveiled for Rees Theatre project’ - Pilot News
Aug. - ‘How to Help’ – Pilot News
Aug. - ‘Rees Theatre restoration organizers issue fundraising challenge to PHS alumni’ - Pilot News
Sep. - ‘Purchase your favorite Seat’ - Pilot News
Sep. - ‘Rees qualifies fir $300K Regional Cities funding’ - Pilot News
Oct. - ‘Work progressing at Rees Theater’ - Pilot News
Oct. - ‘Rees, Wild Rose Moon among groups to get MCCF grant money’ - Pilot News
Nov. - ‘Organizers: Phase I of Rees Theatre Update complete’ - Pilot News
Nov. - ‘Rees seating on sale Saturday at theater’ - Pilot News
Dec. - ‘2017 year in Review’ - Pilot News
Dec. - ‘Commercial featuring REES to hit TV in February’ - Pilot News
2018
Jan. - ‘Crew expected to film Rees for NIPSCO commercial’ - Pilot News
Jan. - ‘It’s time to tell some stories’ - Pilot News
Feb. - ‘The Rees launches “Show Your Theatre Some Love’ - Pilot News
Feb. - ‘River Rises in Plymouth’ – Pilot News
Feb. - ‘Rees Theater organizers energized for 2018’- Life in Marshall County Tabloid -
Pilot News
Mar. - ‘Plymouth council approves TIF funds for REES’ –Not for Profit Directory - Pilot News
Apr. - ‘Rees Theater gets Regional Cities extension’ - Pilot News
May - ‘ Plymouth students share their talent with REES’ - Pilot News
May - ‘R & R’ Thursday to raise funds for REES Project - Pilot News
May - ‘Can public help solve mystery connected to downtown landmark’ - Pilot News
(find location of art deco decoration that once adorned the Rees Theatre)
June - ‘Rees Theatre Project reaches halfway point in initial fundraising push’- Pilot News
June - ‘Restaurateurs donate $1K to Rees’ - Pilot News
June - ‘Bremen, Triton grads give $100K to Rees’ - Pilot News
July - ‘PIDCO pledges $50K for Rees restoration’ - Pilot News
July - ‘Rees Theater gets more time to apply for matching grant money’ - Pilot News
Aug. - ‘Rees stage will honor former music teacher Bob Pickell’ - Pilot News
Aug. - ‘The Rees future depends on you today, Donate by Oct 31’ - Pilot News
Aug. - ‘Volunteers needed for Rees demo work next Saturday’ - Pilot News
Sept. - ‘Organizers: Saturday work at Rees a success’ - Pilot News
Sept. - ‘Journey towards Success, Hoosier Tire donates $50K’ - Pilot News
Sept. 28 - WSBT TV - Lauren Becker, video for News cast
Oct. - ‘Organizers: Friday event for Rees raised about $150K’ - Pilot News
Oct. 4 - ABC 57 TV - video on REESPROJECT.COM
Oct. - ‘Oct. 31 deadline for Rees quickly approaching’ - Pilot News
Oct. - ‘Still not an impossibility’ - Pilot News
Oct. - ‘Message from Mayor Mark Senter’- Puttin’ on the REES event - Pilot News
Oct. - ‘Witching hour on Halloween is deadline to help Rees reach goal’ - Pilot News
Nov. -‘Rees reaches matching grant goal’ - Pilot News
Nov. - ‘King’s Jewelry supports local Rees Theatre project with special purchase’ - Pilot News
Dec. - ‘Mayor presented with commemorative Rees seats’ - Pilot News
Dec. - ‘Old and new memories of Santa at the REES’ - Pilot News
Dec. - ‘No lump of coal for Rees’ - Pilot News
Dec. - ‘A marquee proposal’ - Pilot News
2019
Jan. 23 - WNDU TV - video covering 1st Source Grant to REES
Jan. - ‘Year-end donations announced for Rees’ - Pilot News
Jan. - ‘1st Source Bank donates $50K to Rees’ - Pilot News
Feb. - ‘The Rees Theatre, Inc.’ - Pilot News
Feb. – ‘Rescue dog helps rescue REES’ - Pilot News
Mar. - ‘LaPaz Lions makes contribution’ - Pilot News
Mar. - Lane Laffoon designs Rees ‘Stewie’ - Pilot News
Mar. - ‘June Benefit Concert planned for Rees’ - Pilot News
Apr. - ‘Seven Years of college down the drain named ‘Stewie’ Champs’ - Pilot News
Apr. - ‘Early summer concert set to raise funds for Rees’ - Pilot News
Apr. - ‘ Public Hearing Monday on proposed $500K state grant for Rees Theater’ - Pilot News
Apr. - ‘Stewie’ award to be handed out tonight’ - Pilot News
Apr. - Tickets remain for Rees Screen Tesr trivia fundraiser’ - Pilot News
May - ‘2 concerts in 1 day to benefit the Rees’ - Pilot New
May - ‘International Musician Andy Davis to perform June 22’ - Pilot News
May - ‘CDBG sought for Rees Theatre’ - Pilot News
June - ‘Plymouth B.O.W. approves street closures’ - Pilot News