The REES Theatre restoration is now complete!

 
 

Project Overview

Since 1940, the Rees Theatre in Plymouth, Indiana has provided family entertainment that has provided generations with storied memories.  Sadly, in 2009 the theatre closed leaving a void in the very heart of our community.  Until now.

You can help bring back the vigor of opening night with renewed possibilities of film presentation and performing arts for the entire area.

The REES Theatre Project offers to the city of Plymouth a unique opportunity to continue its revitalization efforts with the development of a year-round feature for community connection. With the many event uses to be offered at the theater it will be known simply as The REES.

A new logo designed by committee member, Sean Hatfield was selected in a community forum and introduced on November 1, 2019. The REES will help create a downtown that promotes pedestrian activity, hospitality business, and provides a destination for visitors and community members alike. 

Investment in The REES project offers the downtown  a redevelopment project that is grounded in both sustainable development and community-centered growth. By anchoring the current progress with The REES project, the downtown revitalization of Plymouth, Indiana will better the overall quality of place and help us move forward in a systematic and synergistic manner that encompasses housing, goods and services - providing a vibrant community presence. 

Click image above for a video tour of the renovation plan. 

Project Floorplans

 

Three-level floorplan

Click images to enlarge

Banquet floorplan layout

Theater / auditorium floorplan layout

The Phases of Construction

 

Phase 1 (Exterior)

This phase is complete and focused on improving the overall aesthetic quality of the theatre's Art Deco facade as well as efficient operation of the marquee. This improvement gives a nostalgic impact on the downtown Plymouth streetscape, including an opportunity to promote community events through a prominent signage point.

Phase 2 & 3 (Exterior/Interior)

These phases focus on the continuation of the renovation with interior demo and an overall revamping of the structural and utilitarian components of the theater. Included in this phase are improvements to the roof, masonry, foundation, exterior HVAC units, water and fire protection service, electric service, and streetscape/connectivity. This phase will complete all the necessary repairs to the building envelope.  Completion of this phase is expected in late Summer of 2020.

Phase 4 (Interior)

This phase focuses on the redesign and renovation of the theater's interior spaces for multi-purpose use. The theater will be brought up to code for all structural, mechanical/electrical components, and accessibility requirements. Additionally, the interior design will be reconfigured to allow for the utilization of the space with advance technology IT and AV systems for the presentation of film, live performances, education and community gatherings to celebrate life events. When complete The REES will again take a position of prominence as a regional entertainment venue. After a presence of 82 years in downtown Plymouth, The REES reopened on October 1, 2022.

Planned Events

The auditorium is designed in tiers with flexible seating flanked by ADA compliant ramps, accommodating the following types of programs.

 

Event

  • Concerts

  • Theatrical / Live Performances

  • Dinner Theater

  • Speakers / Seminars

  • Worship / Assemblies

  • Exhibits

  • Weddings, Receptions and Reunions

  • Gathering place to celebrate community milestones and life events.

  • Film Presentation: seasonal themes, classics, inter-generational and multicultural selections

Educational opportunities

  • Children’s Summer Theater Camps

  • Interdisciplinary Events with Area Schools

  • Technical Schools and Higher Education Programs

  • Health and Wellness Programs

  • Live-stream National/World Events & Performances

  • Workforce Development / Job Training Site

  • Corporate Training and Continuing Education

  • Professional Development Workshops

  • Community Leadership / Speaker Series

Project Specifications

 

Auditorium Seating Capacity

  • Main Level – 2,451 sq. ft.

    • Performance and film seating: 192

    • Banquet seating, rectangular tables: 140-160

    • Classroom seating up to 100

  • Stage Level Seating - 516 sq. ft.

    • Banquet seating, rectangular tables: 16

  • Balcony - Two Level - 522 sq. ft.

    • Performance and movie seating: 36

  • Balcony Level

    • Restrooms

    • Drink Station

Performance Stage
516 SF

  • Proscenium: 22 feet wide by 16 feet tall

  • Stage Depth and Width at Center Stage: 20 feet by 29 feet

  • LED Video Wall 4K Technolgy: 20 feet wide by 17 feet tall

Acoustics, Sound, and Lighting

  • Advanced Technology in Visual and Digital Audio

  • Acoustically Engineered Auditorium Space

  • Sound and Lighting Control Booth

Performer’s Spaces   

  • Men’s and Women’s Dressing Rooms

  • Wardrobe Room

  • Performer’s Lounge and restroom

Catering Kitchen  

  • Refrigeration/freezer, proofing cabinets, stainless steel sinks and work surfaces

Concessions and Bar  

  • Snack Food and Soft Drinks served facing the Lobby

  • Alcoholic Beverages served facing the Auditorium

Front Lobby

  • Two ADA Compliant Restrooms

  • Coat Check

  • Will call window

Mezzanine Level

  • Men’s and Women’s Restrooms

  • Balcony seating for 36 with access to a drink service station

Sustainability

 

2020 rooftop solar installation

It has been a busy three years for The REES Project Committee and through the generosity of many, this project continues to move forward with sights set on a celebratory re-opening in the late Summer of 2022 which is some good news to look forward to.

The REES has completed Phases 1, 2, & 3 and it has taken the project to new heights with a new roof, rooftop heating/air-conditioning units and now, we are pleased to announce that an advanced technology solar energy system is in operation.

Thanks to the generosity of a philanthropic Marshall County family, 100% of the cost of the system has been underwritten.  Solar committee co-chairs, Bill Langdon and Jim Hartung agreed: “We are ecstatic about this donation from a donor that shared our vision for an efficient, responsible and sustainable electric source.  This project ‘checks all the boxes’ even a lobby monitor that will give patrons a “real-time view” of its performance.  It will be a teaching tool as it will show each panel’s kilowatt hours of energy output as well as the total system’s electric production!”  The donor wished for The REES to be a model in clean renewable energy.  This is undoubtedly a first of this magnitude in downtown Plymouth and in consideration with other decisions that makes this project ‘green’ driven.

The REES solar committee has spent the past year analyzing a system’s economic feasibility.  Langdon and Hartung, along with a committee of three others, researched several solar installations and interviewed numerous installers and owners.  The group also attended the Michiana Area Council of Governments’ (MACOG) solar education seminar and gathered information from a solar expert panel discussion at Ancilla College’s solar project ribbon cutting.  Director of Ecological Relationships with The Center at Donaldson, Adam Thada, consulted with the committee as well as Leah Thill, Senior Environmental Planner of MACOG and Kelley Davies, Commercial Account Manager of NIPSCO. 

After considering a half-dozen solar companies, The REES solar committee requested proposals and presentations from the ones they considered the top three.  The committee ended up unanimously choosing Green Alternatives of Kokomo, a company they felt represented The REES’ best value due to outside-the-box thinking, a customer focus and a proven track record.  According to Thada and Thill, this application would not even have been possible ten years ago, but significant solar efficiency increases, solar cost decreases and NIPSCO’s net metering have ‘changed the game’.   Net metering allows The REES to produce energy credits that goes out on NIPSCO’s energy grid and then allows The REES to utilize them at any given time.  “This generous donation will allow The REES to produce energy credits over this next year putting the theater in a great situation for sustainability,” said project co-chair Randy Danielson. 

The new rooftop system, consisting of 76 portrait mounted panels and two inverters with optimizers is expected to produce about 35,000 KWH annually – the majority of the electricity needed to run everything from the air conditioning and lighting to the popcorn machine.  The one-week installation was recently completed in 2020 by the Green Alternatives crew in conjunction with Banner Electric and energized in April.

According to Langdon, “The bottom line is: The REES will have an environmentally friendly solar energy system that will offset 60 - 70% of the multi-purpose venue’s annual electric usage and a system that will serve as both an example and an educational resource for area citizens and students.  The REES solar committee thanks the donor family, the City of Plymouth, MACOG, and NIPSCO for their commitment to sustainable energy in naming Plymouth a SolSmart-designated community. “

REES Project co-chair, Donna Pontius concluded saying; “Let the sun shine brightly on everyone, but especially The REES!”