Pocono News Section

Wyoming County Theater Expands

Wyoming County Theater Expands - Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 4:39PM EST

TUNKHANNOCK, WYOMING COUNTY -- The Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock is one piece of history that's heading strong into the future, thanks to an expansion project.

"Two screens just don't work in today's movie environment," said Sandy Vieczorek, the vice president for Dietrich's board of directors. "So adding these four screens is really essential to ensure the future of the theater and of our cultural programs the movies support."

Those four screens include 300 more seats. This week, 20-ton wall panels are going up, and they should be closed in by the end of the year.

After being closed for several years, the Dietrich reopened in 2001, thanks to the community's help.

"We've been able to keep it open and, now with our expansion, community support is the most vital part of it," added Vieczorek.

One way the Dietrich is raising money is by allowing the community to reserve the best seats in town. For $350, people can get a plaque on the back of one of the new 300 stadium seats.

"They can do it in memory of a loved one or in their children's names," said Vieczorek. "Some peole have even commemorated a first date they had at the Dietrich."

"It's really nice everyone in this town recognizes what's happening at the Dietrich and is really pitching in and making donations and supporting it," said Jennifer Jenkins of Tunkhannock.

The board of directors says the Dietrich is the largest provider of the arts in Wyoming County. It has summer camps for kids, art classes, writing workshops, yoga, and - of course - movies.

"It's the complete sense of community," added Jenkins. "There's something for everyone."

And everyone who heads to the Dietrich will have a bigger and better theater to look forward to by the summer of 2009.

For more information on the theater, go to www. dietrichtheater. com.