Community commitment and co-op support bring Strand Theater back to life

The community-run movie theater in Sharon Springs, Kan., is open again thanks to the focus and hard work of the town's parents.

Strand Theater has been a fixture since 1921 in Sharon Springs, a small town of 751 in western Kansas. Last year, the community board was considering closing the theater due to needed upgrades and low attendance. That's when the next generation stepped in: a group of parents who were passionate about maintaining the community's only regular entertainment venue.

"Not having something like this theater could kill a town," says Patrick Brown, the current board vice president. Other board members include Dan Brooks, Amie Gibbs, Lindsay Hartman, Kelsey Mai, Lissa Sexson and Brenda Tropf. They quickly came up with a largely volunteer-led remodeling plan and timeline.

The theater closed for repairs in September 2023. As floorboards were pulled up to fix a water leak, small repairs ballooned into larger projects. It was a daunting task for the busy volunteers, who squeezed renovations and work hours around full-time jobs and family obligations, often meeting on Sundays and evenings. A portion of the lobby renovations were paid for with a $10,000 CHS Seeds for Stewardship grant, supported by the local CHS ag retail business unit based out of Sharon Springs.

Theater managers and spouses Mai and Brooks poured countless hours into prepping the theater for reopening, often with their son, Ebbot, 4, in tow.

"When I was a kid, my dad, David Mai, ran the projector so I grew up in this theater," Kelsey said. "I want Ebbot to grow up here, too."

On Oct. 19, 2024, the updated theater reopened with a showing of "Hook." Bulk candy bins and an old-fashioned soda machine completed the retro vibe. Now it's showtime for the historic theater.

"We're excited to have the theater open again," says Brooks. "It just needed new ideas."

Learn more about the Strand Theater.

Check out the full fall 2024 C magazine with this article and more.

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