Chelsie Thompson talks about a friendly ghost who supposedly haunts the balcony of the Renaissance Theatre.
Second- and third-graders from Sherman Elementary School and their adult volunteer tutors celebrated another successful year of Project MORE Friday morning with a party and tour at the Renaissance Theatre.
Project MORE, sanctioned by the Ohio Department of Education, pairs mentors with students referred by their teachers for one-to-one extra help with reading and spelling. Tutoring is done in 30-minute sessions during the school day Monday through Thursday.
“It’s the mentors who make our program successful,” said Sharon Fesmier, coordinator of Project MORE. “Look around. These are the people we count on every week. The kids and their mentors have a wonderful relationship. It’s very strong.”
Before students and their adult partners gathered for a party in the Renaissance’s second-floor ballroom, they were divided into two groups for a tour of the theater built in 1928. At several stops they heard tales of unexplained sounds or presences attributed to ghosts.
Chelsie Thompson, director of operations at the Renaissance, led one group. During a visit to the balcony she described the sounds and antics of a ghost the staff has named Pete.
“When the Madison Theater down the block closed, they gave us their projection equipment. We think Pete came with the equipment,” Thompson said. “He’s a friendly ghost. He’s never caused any harm.”
Thompson asked students to guess the weight of the huge chandelier that hangs over the main floor just off the balcony.
“One thousand pounds?” asked a boy.
“No, much more than that. Three thousand pounds,” she said.
“The balcony has a capacity of over 400. When it is full it will adjust itself by actually lowering a foot. That’s a safety feature.”
The tour for both groups also included the main floor near the stage, the lower level and property room and the addition added in 2010.