Because of the need for an air conditioning system to allow for summer performances, the venue, located at 18 E. Second St., received $265,000 through the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative program.

Robert Ostrom, Lucille Ball Little Theatre board president, said the opening of the National Comedy Center was instrumental in the theater being included in the DRI program. He said the potential to use the theater during summer-time National Comedy Center events is the main reason they were able to receive the DRI funding to install a new air conditioning system that will allow for the facility to be used during the first week of August when the annual Lucy Comedy Fest is held.

“The DRI project rationalization was we could participate with the National Comedy Center because we would have air conditioning and an air conditioner will allow us to have theater programs during the summer,” Ostrom said. “We have around 400 seats, which is much smaller than the Reg, which has around 1,200, but then there are other theaters that are small than us. So we are ideally positioned to do shows.”

Ostrom said a Lucy impersonators event is tentatively scheduled during the Lucy Comedy Fest this year at the Little Theater based on the installation of the new air conditioner. Ostrom said state officials have already allocated the DRI funding for their project and the new air conditioner will be installed following the performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, which is scheduled to run April 20-29.

Ropes for the new theatrical fly systems at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre. With funds from the Lenna Foundation, Holmberg Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the theater was able to replace their fly system. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

“The contractor is ready to go to work to get the air conditioner in place before the comedy center comes to fruition,” he said.

Ostrom said additional improvements made to the theater with DRI funding included three theatrical fly systems, a new copy machine and for safety improvements. He said improving the fly system will be a critical improvement for performances. A fly system, or theatrical rigging system, is a system of rope lines, pulleys, counterweights and related devices within a theater that enables a stage crew to hoist quickly, quietly and safely components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people.

Following a safety inspection, the theater had to reduce its fly system from more than 20 rigs to only three. However, with the three being funded by the DRI, and the 12 installed thanks to funding from the Lenna Foundation, Holmberg Foundation and Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the theater’s fly system will be much improved, Ostrom said.

“It will greatly enhance what we can do on stage,” he said.

Ostrom said the theater also received funding from the Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation for new display cases.

He said theater officials don’t like going to local foundations often, but are thankful for their support. He said 87 percent of their funding is raised through theater memberships.

The theater, which celebrated its 80th anniversary last year, is the largest and longest running volunteer theater in the state, Ostrom said. He added that Ball herself started her career out at the facility when they were known as The Players Club.

The theater revitalization project was one of 10 that received funding through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative program. In 2016, Cuomo announced the DRI to invest $100 million into 10 communities — one municipality from each of the Regional Economic Development Councils. The initiative is to assist communities with transformative housing, economic development, transportation and community projects to attract and retain residents, visitors and businesses. Jamestown was the first community selected for the DRI in Western New York.

For more information on the theater, visit lucilleballlittletheatre.org or call 483-1095.