On Sunday, Springfield opened the new John Legend Theater in the former South High School and The 2.5 million dollar theater is one of many programs to be located building now known as “The Springfield Center for Innovation.”
Grammy and Academy Award winning artist John Legend, a Springfield native, was instrumental in raising support for the theater. He says the city has a special place in his heart, “It's an important place for me, I was born and raised here. And I feel the city has given a lot to me and I want to give back.”
The opening marks a turning point, says Springfield City School Board President EdLeventhal.
“When they built the new high school there were no dollars for an auditorium," says Leventhal "This gives them a venue to showcase their talents, a 700 hundred seat auditorium, it also provides a space for community groups at a rate they could afford. We really see it as a community asset not just a city school asset.”
The theater is available for Clark County schools and community groups, shows begin this fall.
