Dixon Historic Theatre makes $250,000 funding pitch to Dixon City Council

DIXON – The Dixon Historic Theatre made its pitch for $250,000 in city funds at the Dixon City Council’s first 2026 fiscal budget work session Monday.

The council listened to funding requests from six community nonprofit organizations during the session, which was the first of many meetings as the city begins drafting its budget for fiscal 2026. The theater’s request was by far the largest, with a majority of organizations asking for about $30,000.

Darren Mangler, executive director and artistic producer at the theater, took the lead on presenting the request. He said the funds would be used for operating costs, which are expected to total $300,000, and include utilities, payroll, insurance, and capital lease and grant expenses.

The funds also would be used to cover expenses for events, including contracts for touring shows, hospitality, advertising, technical renting and assistance, Mangler said.

Efforts to revive the 102-year-old theater at 114 S. Galena Ave. and to raise its profile have been ongoing since 2016. It closed in October 2024 to undergo a $1.5 million restoration project and is planned to open March 2 with the national touring Broadway show “Spamilton!”

[ A grand debut: The Dixon Historic Theatre undergoing renovations, preparing for big 2025 season ]

“The future looks great,” Mangler said. “We have tripled our shows.”

In recent seasons, the number of shows was limited. On average, the theater had about 25 events a year, Mangler said.

For the upcoming 2025 season, he said, they have more than 75 events planned, including tribute bands, national touring companies, comedy shows and community theater performances.

In 2024, the theater made $75,000 in ticket sales. When considering the number of this year’s shows, Mangler expects to bring in ticket sales of $225,000. He said that amount would cover the theater’s annual costs.

“We’re gambling on ourselves at this point, and we’re really excited for it,” Mangler said.

Mayor Glen Hughes asked the theater to put together a revenue projection based on costs, the number of shows and past attendance numbers because “not every show is gonna be profitable.”

“I’d like to get a better handle on what your expectations of revenues are going to be against the show cost,” Hughes said.

Another Dixon theater group that made its pitch for funding Monday night was Between Beats, representing Dixon Stage Left. The group asked for $20,000 to be used for production costs, which include licensing shows, and set and costume design costs.

Stage Left also closed in 2024 to consolidate its venues to one central location at 105 S. Peoria Ave. The theater plans to reopen in early 2025, Executive Director Scott Fattizzi said in a previous interview with Shaw Local.

Other organizations that asked for funding included the Sauk Valley Community College Impact Program for $30,000, the Next Picture Show for $35,000, the CEO program for $25,000 and the Dixon Sister Cities Association for $6,000.

The council didn’t take any action on the requests and won’t do so until the budget is finalized in May.