File photo | The Republic
The Crump Theatre is shown in downtown Columbus.
The Crump Theatre’s 135th anniversary celebration in October will include a comedy and an illusion show, a paranormal conference, and more to be announced later.
Plus, venue project manager Jessica Schnepp aims in September to bring back what many local residents say was a favorite memory of their childhood: Saturday morning cartoons, and bicycle raffles. She hopes there will be maybe 90 minutes worth of animation.
For the anniversary, she currently is hoping for two to four ticketed events each weekend in October.
She has been the full-time booker and promoter of Crump activities and events since it reopened in August of last year.
“I think that this (October) will be the busiest we have been since last October because of the anniversary,” she said.
The venue is just coming off a rock concert on Thursday, a special silent film and organ accompaniment on Friday, and a regional beard and mustache competition and gathering on Saturday.
In the past year, the art-deco facility has hosted youth boxing, independent films and documentaries, community theater, a Hutchfest concert evening, and more. Schnepp has said since the reopening that she wants the Crump to offer a flexible and versatile space for a wide range of events.
Local author David Sechrest, long a strong advocate for The Crump, said he is excited to see the beloved building reactivated.
“All I can say is Jessica has done a fantastic job,” Sechrest said. “She is the Crump champion so desperately needed at a time in Crump history when its future lay in doubt.”
The paranormal event is expected to be the first weekend of October with vendors, speakers and more,.
“We’re hoping to also have a live podcast then, too,” Schnepp said.
Columbus native and nationally touring standup comic Jeff Bodart, currently working regularly on Royal Caribbean International cruises, is doing a show on Oct. 12.
“To be honest, I am honored to be a part of the long history of The Crump Theatre,” Bodart said.
Bodart is bringing along friend and British illusionist Chris Dugdale, who has performed multiple times for the royals.
“He sounds pretty amazing,” Schnepp said.
