As the Grand Theater nears its 100th birthday, the community has a big gift in store.
On April 30, Grand Theater Executive Director Sean Wright announced the public launch of the Grand’s Second Century Campaign, a $17 million initiative to renovate the theater so that it can continue to serve Central Wisconsin for another 100 years.
The renovations are intended to address critical infrastructure needs, enhance accessibility and modernize the theater to meet the evolving expectations of audiences and artists.
“This campaign is not just about preserving a building,” said Wright, “it’s about investing in the cultural and economic vitality of our region for generations to come.”
The Grand Theater was built on the site of the former Grand Opera House in 1927, after the opera house was razed to accommodate a larger facility designed for then-modern audiences. On Thanksgiving of that year, the new theater was opened to the public with a showing of the freshly released silent film Dress Parade.
In 1930, the theater joined the Fox Wisconsin chain of movie theaters, but decreased traffic in the wake of the Great Depression caused the Grand to close its doors until 1933. Through the early 1980s, the Grand operated primarily as a movie theater, with occasional live entertainment.
In 1972, the Performing Arts Foundation was established in Wausau with the goal of revitalizing the area’s performing arts scene and drawing acts from around the world to Central Wisconsin. The organization spent the next decade raising funds to restore and modernize the theater, completing a $2.2 million renovation project that included upgrading the Grand’s technical systems to accommodate modern touring shows in 1987.
The Performing Arts Foundation has managed the theater since then, renovating and updating the facilities as needed with the help of community donors.
“The Grand Theater is not only a beautiful monument to Wausau’s impressive legacy but also key to the continued vibrancy of the entire region,” said Board President of the Performing Arts Foundation Todd Nicklaus.
Today, the Grand Theater hosts over 300 events a year ranging from high school band performances to community presentations to musical acts on tour.
The Grand’s Second Century Campaign has already secured $12 million in pledges of its $17 million goal.
“The donors who stepped forward in the beginning validated the important role that the Grand plays in our community,” said Nicklaus. “I am deeply grateful for their commitment to this critical effort.”
Renovations are expected to take place in two phases between May and November, one in 2026, one in 2027, so that the Grand can provide its annual seasons with minimal impacts to patrons. Once work is completed — right on time for the theater’s 100th anniversary — organizers plan to celebrate with a grand reopening event.
Renovations will include new seats with improved lines of sight to the stage; an updated lobby and patron amenities; upgrades to existing infrastructure to lengthen the theater’s lifespan and ensure a comfortable, safe environment for patrons and performers; improved accessibility, including new safety improvements on the balcony; state-of-the-art technical systems; an improved backstage; and modifications to the Great Hall intended to enhance acoustics and allow for more flexibility in programming and events.
Community members will be able to support the renovation by participating in events like the Grand’s “Name a Seat” program, which will offer a tangible way for community members and their families to leave their marks on history.
For more information about the Second Century Campaign, including ways to contribute, visit www.grandtheater.org/secondcentury.
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