Legacy Theater building project offers “endless opportunities” 

Legacy Theater building project offers “endless opportunities” 

Published 8:13 pm Saturday, June 13, 2026

CARTHAGE, Ill. — The Legacy Theater’s vision for the future calls for a building addition — with help from the Tri-State community.

The theater launched a $2 million capital campaign Saturday night with plans to add a new covered entrance, an expanded lobby and a multipurpose room.

“I kind of call it the next level for us doing entertainment and being a community hub,” Legacy Theater Foundation Board President Doug Groth said. “We’ve done a great job of shows. This will help fulfill making it a theater experience.”

Some $500,000 already has been raised in the quiet phase of the campaign, and board members hope the public phase over the next three years generates investments, donations, pledges and grants to support the project billed as a reimagining of the theater.

“The theater itself, the auditorium proper will not be changed. The capacity will remain the same. What we are going for is an addition that will completely reimagine the entryway,” Legacy Theater Executive Director Larissa McShane said. “It’s just reimagining how we utilize the space in general. There will just be so many more opportunities, endless opportunities.”

The multipurpose room, for example, could be used as a dining room for groups, as meeting space and potentially as a venue for packages featuring dinner and a show.

“This addition will make our theater more accessible, more inclusive and more responsive to the needs of our audience and community members,” McShane said.

A drive-through drop-off entrance, protected from the weather, provides easier access for patrons, boosting safety and convenience.

The larger lobby space offers an expanded concession area to cater to patrons.

“If a show starts at 7, doors open at 6, and people can come in, have a snack, have a drink and visit with their friends and their neighbors — make it a nice conversational evening instead of just come in, sitting down and leaving,” McShane said. “We want it to be more of an experience.”

The project marks the next step for the theater which over the past decade has added a full-time executive director, a part-time box office and intern opportunities along with efforts to lower operating costs with improvements to the stage floor, sound equipment, light equipment and solar panels to offset electricity costs.

Groth said construction could begin when the campaign reaches the $1.5 million mark.

“Construction will take nine to 12 months,” he said. “That will give us the rest of the push to finish out the dollars.”

Plans call for the theater to remain open during the construction and renovation work.

“We’re going to keep bringing better and better shows as we go,” McShane said.

McShane said getting involved in the campaign offers a way for community members to make the Legacy part of their legacy.

“It’s an investment not only in the community, but the future of the community,” she said. “We want our community to grow and be welcoming to more and more people in the area. If we have this central place to invite them to, it would be good for all of the businesses in the community.”

More Information

A series of community meetings will provide more information about the Legacy Theater’s capital campaign.

Executive Director Larissa McShane and theater board members will explain the building project and answer questions.

Meetings are scheduled:

6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at the Warsaw Library community room.

6 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 29 at the Keokuk, Iowa, Public Library Round Room.

6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23 at the Hamilton Community Center

6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Nauvoo Community Center.

More information also is available by contacting McShane at 217-357-9479 or [email protected] or Legacy Theater Foundation Board President Doug Groth at [email protected].