After more than 90 years, the operators of Scottdale Showtime Theater renamed the landmark building to reflect its original 1900 monicker. Now known as The Geyer Performing Arts Center, the name pays homage to the venue's architect and benefactor Andrew Geyer. The original name of the theater -- Geyer Opera House -- is still etched above the marquis. "The creation of an opera house gave social legitimacy to this once rural community," said Daniel Shaw, director, "and mirrored the commercial growth of this burgeoning town." A new management team was hired this year to re-focus the Pittsburgh Street theater for local and national performers and create a multi-use conference facility. The building is equipped with a lobby, a 350-seat auditorium with full stage and three upstairs meeting rooms. "This could be a full-fledged conference center if we treat it as such," Shaw said. "This is not just a Scottdale venture. We will expand as far into Westmoreland County, and as far into Fayette County, as we can go." Shaw, along with manager Tina Geyer-Graft, started work in January. "We want to go back to our roots," said Karen Kiefer, vice president of the executive board. "We are hoping to broaden our offerings with local as well as national acts. To do that, we had to bring in some new talent." Shaw is a native of the Mt. Pleasant area and worked as a music educator for more than 40 years. Geyer-Graft is a Scottdale-area native and, coincidentally, great-great niece of the theater's creator. "I feel quite at home here," she said. "I am very comfortable in this theater." Andrew Geyer was the son of a local hotel proprietor. His family operated the venue until 1912 when the newly incorporated Scottdale Theater Company bought the building and its associated theatrical rights. "Changes under their leadership included the installation of a big Klingen Wonder Organ," Shaw said, "and a change in the building's name to the Strand Theater." The new theater included a Vitaphone system to display "talking pictures." Until it closed in 1969, the theater served primarily as a movie theater. Then, after almost 20 years of dormancy, Scottdale Showtime Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and renovated the structure. The performing arts center now features three resident theater companies and various national music acts. Actors and Artists of Fayette County is a community theater organization founded in 1974 that performs six shows each year. Past performances have included "The Wizard of Oz," "Cinderella" and "Jesus Christ Superstar." GPAC Theater Guild and GPAC Readers Troupe will also stage programs at the theater, including small plays and readings. "Our resident theater program is designed to provide a variety of service, management and informational programs to members, and to nonmembers," Geyer-Graft said. "Our guild will encourage the professional training of artists, and of future teachers in the performing arts for all levels of education." The Geyer Performing Arts Center will officially open with a debut concert at 7 p.m. Saturday by the national Christian rock band Apologetix. The band performs biblical parodies of hits by artists ranging from Elvis to Eminem. Tickets cost $12 and are available through the box office at 724-887-0887. Visit www.geyerpac.com for more information.

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