The Penn Yan Theatre Company is moving forward with plans to restore the century-old Sampson Theatre as its permanent home, according to PYTCO officials. Originally a 1910 vaudeville venue, the building has seen decades of varied use—and now, a second act.
After acquiring the theater for $1 in 2004, PYTCO used it for seasonal displays and limited events. A 2014 flood reignited efforts to revitalize the space for community performances, weddings, and small conferences. Most restoration work has taken place over the past ten months, thanks to state and local grants.
If all goes well, PYTCO hopes to stage its first major production there in 2026.
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