The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts is offering the community a chance to become part of the theater’s legacy. For a donation, patrons can make commemorations by having names and messages engraved on plaques that will be placed on new theater seats. The Legacy Seats campaign is running now and will continue while seats are available. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate, said Len Barry, Reg director of marketing and communications.

“The solid brass engraved plaques will be located on the armrest of each seat. A local downtown business, The Trophy House, will be doing the engraving,” Barry added.

Barry said suggested inscriptions may include names of family members, businesses or organizations; memorable dates marking birthdays and anniversaries; impactful messages; and memorials to loved ones. Donations are $100 per seat in the main areas of the floor and balcony areas, $250 for loge seats, and $500 for premium seats in the first four rows of the theater. The Legacy Seat donations are tax-deductible. The naming rights will remain for the lifetime of the seats which is expected to last for well over two decades.

“The initiative helps to cover the growing cost of sustaining a wide array of arts programming at the 100 year-old historic theater. Seats and row sponsorships are available on a first come, first served basis,” Barry said.

Solid brass engraved plaques will be located on the armrest of each seat.

Barry noted that The Reg has donated some of the old seats to the Fenton Historical Museum and to the National Comedy Center. There will be, he said, about 70 of the old seats for purchase on a first come, first served basis.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to rehome the remainder of the seats due to their age and condition, but also because they were built to our theater specifications,” Barry noted.

The current seats – dating back to the 1950’s – are scheduled to be removed the first week of June. The Reg will have a “seatless” movie double feature on June 7 with patrons encouraged to bring their own camping chairs or beach blankets. The drive-in-style event will feature the Bill Murray comedy “Meatballs,” followed by the comedy “Wet Hot American Summer.” New seats will be installed before August 2024. In addition to commemorative plaques, most of the seats have more comfortable cushioning and include cupholders. Several of the new aisle seats are equipped with transfer arms which allow easier access for patrons with mobility issues, Barry said.

“We are so excited to offer this rare chance for community members to make their mark through these donation plaques,” Executive Director Hillary Meyer said. “We set a donation level that would be accessible to many people, and are hoping that this will allow hundreds of people who are interested in supporting the arts to have a chance to join the legacy seats campaign. Following our recent sound and lighting upgrades in the theater, we are delighted to upgrade the seating as well. We want our patrons’ overall experience at The Reg to be one of comfort and enjoyment.”

The seat replacement campaign, Barry said, was funded by support from New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Sheldon Foundation, the Hultquist Foundation and Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth/County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency.

For a donation, patrons may make commemorations by having names and messages engraved on plaques that will be placed on new theater seats. Submitted photos

For more information, or to sign up, visit reglenna.com/legacyseats or call(716) 484-7070.