The Orpheum Theatre is one community fundraising campaign away from becoming a venue capable of hosting any professional touring production in the country.
A $99,250 tourism grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will fund a complete replacement of the Orpheum’s stage lighting with industry-standard LED technology — but only if Galesburg raises a dollar-for-dollar match. The total project cost is $198,500.
Executive Director Andrew Driscoll says the stakes are real. When the national tour of Two Trains Running performed at the Orpheum, the production had to completely rework its lighting design because the Orpheum was the only venue on the tour not operating on an LED plot.
“”This grant is a game-changer for the Galesburg Orpheum Theatre,” Driscoll said Wednesday on WGIL Galesburg’s Morning News. “We are missing out on some opportunities that otherwise would consider us. And we will not be missing out on them any longer once we integrate this in.”
The upgrade includes a new lighting control board, LED retrofits for front-of-house fixtures, and new moving stage washes and spotlights. Driscoll said the system will also benefit local tenant partners including Choral Dynamics, Dancers’ Studio, Prairie Players, and the Performing Arts Academy of Galesburg.
“When a local child steps onto our stage for a recital or a community play, they will be performing under a professional-grade light plot that enhances their experience and the experience of every audience member,” Driscoll said.
The theater is aiming to have the new system in place by August, in time for the start of the 2026-27 season.
The community fundraising campaign — titled “The Orpheum in a New Light” — launches in May. Donations can be made online at GalesburgOrpheum.org or by contacting the box office at (309) 342-2299.
