Historic Penn Theatre awarded $90,000 lighting grant
The future will be a little brighter at the Penn Theatre in downtown Plymouth.
Friends of the Penn, the group of local volunteers that operates the theater, recently received a $90,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation to support the installation of a state-of-the-art stage lighting system at the theater. This is the latest grant in a series of financial awards from the Margaret Dunning Foundation to support improvements and updates at the theater.
The Penn Theatre was built in 1941 to serve exclusively as a movie theater, a spokesman noted. In 2023, the Margaret Dunning Foundation provided funding for the installation of house lighting. That upgrade made the theater more adaptable for non-film events, a spokesperson noted and as a result, non-movie events have increased. Both guest speakers and audiences have expressed positive feedback regarding the new versatility of the venue.
In 2024, a grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation enabled the installation of a permanent public address system and will fund the replacement of 18-year-old stage lighting equipment. These upgrades are essential for supporting events at the auditorium, explained Executive Director Ellen Elliott.
She said she is enthusiastic about the project, noting that the improvements will enhance the experience for speakers, performers, and audiences, and support a wide range of programming for all ages. Elliott said she was grateful to the foundation for the support of the historic theater.
Friends of the Penn is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 to preserve, maintain, and operate the theater as a community arts venue. Learn more at www.penntheatre.org.
The Margaret Dunning Foundation was established by the late Ms. Dunning in 1997 and continues her legacy of supporting Plymouth nonprofits. Ms. Dunning, born in 1910, was a philanthropist, businesswoman, and classic car enthusiast who passed away in 2015 at age 104.
Her legacy and contributions to the community, including the public library building and many other civic projects continue to benefit Plymouth residents. For more information about Ms. Dunning, visit www.margaretdunningfdn.org.
