*The John Legend Theater is open for business.
The Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist was on hand Sunday (Oct. 9) to help dedicate a recently renovated theater in Ohio that now bears his name.
The Springfield News-Sun reports that Legend, a Springfield native, spoke Sunday at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the John Legend Theater at the Springfield Center of Innovation: The Dome.
Legend also performed “All of Me,” “Love Me Now” and “Save Room For My Love” among his selections at a piano inside the new theater.
“I have so many fond memories of growing up here,” the Springfield North High School graduate told the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I have so many fond memories of what the arts and creativity meant to me.”
Legend donated $500,000 for the 680-seat performance space, which started out back in the day as Springfield High School, then transitioned to South High School, which closed in 2008 after the school district built a new combined high school.
The building, with an assist from Legend, won an $11.3 million grant to renovate part of the building. However, it wasn’t enough to complete the renovation of the auditorium.
Legend stepped up along with other donors like Speedway, Security National Bank and the Turner and Springfield foundations this year and donated the money to get the project done.
Watch the ribbon cutting ceremony below:
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
