a view of the seats on the lower floor and balcony from the stage
Credit: Submitted

MOUNT VERNON — Dena Hess, manager of The Woodward Opera House, has announced that the theme for 2024 will be “Come Home to The Woodward.”

As the board of directors regrouped and refocused on many things throughout the building, including new tenants and a new direction for a few of the spaces within The Woodward, the board decided to focus more on local talent for the event spaces within the building.

The Woodward Opera House is home to multiple businesses in addition to rentable venues. The original use for The Woodward Opera House when Ebeneezer Woodward built the facility in 1851 was to operate businesses on the first two levels and offer entertainment in the theater as the “icing on the cake.”

The board will continue that concept in 2024.

The Woodward Opera House, just before its grand reopening in 2019.

The Woodward hosts a variety of private events weekly, which include seminars, board meetings, service club meetings, dinners, awards assemblies, and weddings.

In addition, The Woodward schedules public events throughout the year.

“We have partnered with several local groups to bring events to the public this year,” Hess said. “Our focus will remain on these local groups by allowing them to call our stage their home. It is our goal to encourage growth in the arts and showcase the talent of our community.”

Look for events to be scheduled by groups, including Mad Cap Living History, Nellie Six Productions, The Front Porch Concert Series, Central Ohio Youth Ballet, The Woodward Hometown Series with Joe and Marty Bell, Mount Vernon Players, MTVarts, Knox Community Jazz Orchestra, The Mount Vernon Community Band, Central Ohio Brass Band, and many more.

Hess said a few surprise guests will return to the stage as part of The Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival.

The community is encouraged to follow The Woodward on social media as well as the website www.thewoodward.org for the latest information on public events and the opening of new businesses within The Woodward.