By Edward P. Noga
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – It wasn’t too long ago that we would get a notice on our cell phones saying, “Tonight, your phone will be updated.” Often, the changes seemed minimal, and, after a while, these notices were pretty much taken for granted as another reminder of technology being part of our daily lives.
As 2026 rolled around, I noticed that the “tonight” notices on my phone stopped, but the updates continued – perhaps even more frequently.
I have to admit that, to my untrained eye, some of the updates seemed a little more complicated, especially when they were accomplished with little or no explanation. Let me be clear – very clear: I am in the lower tier of the “technologically savvy.”
Our Valley is blessed with a wide variety of “live” entertainment. Yes, we can watch a three-hour blockbuster movie on our laptop; we can marvel at some of the AI productions; we can purchase a cable documentary and watch it when we want. All of this can happen rather instantaneously.
But there is something special about being “drawn into” a live performance that makes us feel like we are almost on stage with the characters, actors or musicians. High-definition camera technology may allow us to see the sweat on the brow of a musician, but being part of the crowd within an indoor or outdoor venue gives us the goosebumps that are part of being there live and in person.
Looking back on our Valley’s history, one can find that the Robins Theater in Warren opened in 1923. A year later, the Youngstown Playhouse opened in a converted barn on Lincoln Avenue. Stambaugh Auditorium opened its doors in 1926.
In downtown Youngstown, the Warner brothers built a movie theater in honor of their deceased sibling Sam. In the early ’50’s the center of Columbiana welcomed the Manos Theater, now known as the Columbiana Arts Theatre. At the same time, the iconic Packard Music Hall was established. Across the state line, the Scottish Rite Cathedral was built in 1925 in New Castle, and the beautiful Orr Auditorium (with its recital hall) became part of the Westminster College campus in the early ’60’s, showcasing performances of all kinds, including concerts and community events.
These unique venues have brought the world to our neighborhoods. Renowned lecturers, world class entertainers and musical wizards have wowed crowds.
Luckily, these venues have also provided local, up-and-coming artists and actors a place to show off their style and talent.
The success story of these venues does not come with a “Tonight there will be an update” feature like the ones on our phones. The ongoing success of these live performances requires a constant human updating process of fundraising, promotion, organization and tireless effort.
Months ago, the Youngstown Playhouse announced that some of their smaller productions would come downtown to the Morley Building which houses Ballet Western Reserve. The Playhouse set their sights on the third floor of the building on Boardman Street which years ago housed the Oakland Center for the Arts.
Recently, I asked playhouse director John Cox what sparked his interest years ago in the Playhouse on Youngstown’s south side. Most Youngstowners know that it is one of the oldest community theaters in our nation. And we also know it needed an update after having endured many social and economic upheavals.
What made Cox hit the “update” button, then hit it again as the organization announced a second site for live theater downtown? Technology can aid us in keeping our devices functioning well, but the “update” button for live venues takes human ingenuity, energy and vision.
Cox talked about his years in medical school where he also dabbled in improvisational theater. “The bug bit me,” he said, “and I realized that live theater can bring people together, face-to-face. In a world that so often seems fractured, theater brings everyone in.”
Coming back to town to start his medical practice, he took notice of Pittsburgh’s impressive battle to come back from manufacturing disinvestment decades ago. The arts started taking over buildings and neighborhoods in the hills of Pittsburgh. People were moving about instead of moving out.
Cleveland provided more examples of the arts pumping new life into some struggling neighborhoods. If it happened in larger cities, surely it could happen (and is happening) in smaller cities.
As far as the downtown space, Cox approached the ballet board and asked if they might be interested in some collaboration. Why not? Seems collaboration is not just a buzzword these days but a workable approach where everyone can win.
Guess what? A question, some interest, and a common purpose came together, and, during the last two weekends of March, the curtain went up on six performances. More curtain calls. More opportunities. Thank you, John Cox, your team and the ballet leadership.
Please, keep hitting that “update” button.
