On Saturday, the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts hosted a public open house to show off its new $400,000 backstage addition.

Over the past eight years, owner and operator Cincinnati Landmark Productions has transformed the 1940s movie house into a fully-functioning performing arts center that recently has featured performances of Meet Me in St. Louis, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Miracle on 34th Street, Tuesdays With Morrie, and Singin' in the Rain.

The new 1,700-square-foot space includes new dressing rooms, a rehearsal studio, green room, workshop, storage room, restrooms and dock.

The new studio allows the cast from one show to rehearse while another production takes place on the main stage. It also enables the center to expand its programming for young people, utilizing the space for its new After School Drama program for kids ages 10 to 13, says Covedale Center Director Tim Perrino.

Funding for the addition came from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Ohio Valley Foundation, the Louise Taft Semple Foundation, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative Grant, a City of Cincinnati Capital Arts Grant, a State of Ohio Capital Funding Grant, and patron donations.

Officially opened in October, a busy schedule prevented the center from showing off the space to donors, volunteers, and the community at large.

Photos provided by Tim Perrino, Director, Covedale Center for the Performing Arts.