Events at this location

The Gallery at Towngate will host the exhibit “Ways of Seeing, Ways of Speaking: Paintings and Drawings from Two Perspectives” from March 15-May 17.

The exhibit features the work of artists Clare McDonald and Erin Mellott. An opening reception takes place from 2-3:30pm Sunday, March 15. After the reception, the Crazy 8s improv troupe will perform on the Towngate stage from 3:30-4:30pm.

The exhibit will remain on display through May 17 and can be viewed free of charge 11am-1pm Monday-Friday and during all Towngate Theatre events.

About the Artists:

Clare McDonald

Clare McDonald was born in England and has been painting and drawing since early childhood. She studied art at advanced level in high school and was strongly encouraged to pursue an artistic career path. However, she took a different path for much of her life. In the mid-2000s, she returned to her artistic roots.

She took classes with local artists Mark Fleming and Pat Jacobson, became involved with the Independent Artist’s Group in Wheeling and attended as many drawing and painting opportunities in the area as she could. She participated in plein air events with ARTWORKS Around Town and Oglebay Institute and she has been accepted into several juried exhibitions in the last few years. In 2015, she received an Honorable Mention in the Crosscurrents exhibition at OI’s Stifel Fine Arts Center. She also received Merit and Honorable Mention awards at the Bethany Fall Annual Exhibition held at Bethany College.

In her artist statement she says, “Inspiration for a piece can come from anywhere, but many of my pieces contain some organic element. I try to connect with a path to finding the beauty in a scene or object. Light is key to my work and I strive to make light push out of the paper towards the viewer in order to help them understand the surfaces and structure of objects, as well as their beauty.”

Erin Mellot

Since childhood, Beallsville, Ohio native Erin Mellot has spent most of her free time creating art. While attending college at Ohio University Eastern, she completed every art class available, experimenting with new mediums and deepening her understanding of art.

In her artists statement Erin said, “Having autism has affected my communication and ability to form relationships, but art has helped me overcome these obstacles. Along with God, art has comforted me through many difficult circumstances, and without it, life would be so different. Art has been and will continue to be a special part of my life because it is my voice when I have none.”

EVENT IS CANCELED

Inspired by the true story documented in Isadora Kosofsky’s photo series by the same name, Senior Love Triangle is a narrative feature film that focuses on intimacy, romantic love, loneliness and loss through a trio of senior citizens.

Read more and watch the trailer here.

Presented in conjunction with Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art.

Showtimes for Senior Love Triangle:
7pm Friday, April 3
4pm & 7pm Saturday, April 4
2pm Sunday, April 5

Admission is free. Box office opens one hour prior to each screening.  Beer, wine, soda, water, popcorn and candy are available to purchase at all Towngate movies.

More Public Educational Programs:

In conjunction with Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art, Oglebay Institute will host a series of learning and community-building events. Programs explore the various facets of aging and how art can play a role in that experience. All programs are free and open to the public.

Pre-registration is recommended. Space is limited. Visit the links below or call 304-242-7700 to register.

Journey Through Dementia
6pm Thursday, March 5; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Presence Opening Reception
6:30-8:30pm Thursday, March 5; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Senior Yoga Workshop with Amy Johnson
10am Wednesday, March 11; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Help, Hope & Understanding: A Dialogue on Dementia
6pm Thursday, March 12; Stifel Fine Arts Center

An Evening of Spoken Word featuring Marc Harshman
6pm Thursday, March 19; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Dr. Susan Ridley and WLU Creative Arts Therapy Students
6pm Thursday, March 26; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Isadora Kosofsky Discusses Senior Love Triangle
6pm Thursday, April 2; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Senior Love Triangle
April 3-5; Towngate Theatre

It’s Never Too Late: Creating Art Later in Life
6pm Thursday, April 9; Stifel Fine Arts Center

NEA Panel on Creative Aging
6pm Thursday, April 16; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Navigating End-of-Life Care
6pm Thursday, April 23; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Towngate: A Unique Movie Theater in Wheeling.

A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District.

At Towngate, not only can you watch live theater productions, spoken word performances, improv and concerts, you can see movies, too! Towngate is also a single screen cinema. On select weekends throughout the year, we show classic and independent films, thought-provoking documentaries and film shorts by local and regional filmmakers. Our movie selections encourage thought and conversation.

Whether you consider yourself a film buff or you only like movies for the popcorn, our films will entertain and inspire. See you at Towngate!

EVENT IS CANCELED

Inspired by the true story documented in Isadora Kosofsky’s photo series by the same name, Senior Love Triangle is a narrative feature film that focuses on intimacy, romantic love, loneliness and loss through a trio of senior citizens.

Read more and watch the trailer here.

Presented in conjunction with Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art.

Showtimes for Senior Love Triangle:
7pm Friday, April 3
4pm & 7pm Saturday, April 4
2pm Sunday, April 5

Admission is free. Box office opens one hour prior to each screening.  Beer, wine, soda, water, popcorn and candy are available to purchase at all Towngate movies.

More Public Educational Programs:

In conjunction with Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art, Oglebay Institute will host a series of learning and community-building events. Programs explore the various facets of aging and how art can play a role in that experience. All programs are free and open to the public.

Pre-registration is recommended. Space is limited. Visit the links below or call 304-242-7700 to register.

Journey Through Dementia
6pm Thursday, March 5; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Presence Opening Reception
6:30-8:30pm Thursday, March 5; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Senior Yoga Workshop with Amy Johnson
10am Wednesday, March 11; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Help, Hope & Understanding: A Dialogue on Dementia
6pm Thursday, March 12; Stifel Fine Arts Center

An Evening of Spoken Word featuring Marc Harshman
6pm Thursday, March 19; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Dr. Susan Ridley and WLU Creative Arts Therapy Students
6pm Thursday, March 26; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Isadora Kosofsky Discusses Senior Love Triangle
6pm Thursday, April 2; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Senior Love Triangle
April 3-5; Towngate Theatre

It’s Never Too Late: Creating Art Later in Life
6pm Thursday, April 9; Stifel Fine Arts Center

NEA Panel on Creative Aging
6pm Thursday, April 16; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Navigating End-of-Life Care
6pm Thursday, April 23; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Towngate: A Unique Movie Theater in Wheeling.

A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District.

At Towngate, not only can you watch live theater productions, spoken word performances, improv and concerts, you can see movies, too! Towngate is also a single screen cinema. On select weekends throughout the year, we show classic and independent films, thought-provoking documentaries and film shorts by local and regional filmmakers. Our movie selections encourage thought and conversation.

Whether you consider yourself a film buff or you only like movies for the popcorn, our films will entertain and inspire. See you at Towngate!

EVENT IS CANCELED

Inspired by the true story documented in Isadora Kosofsky’s photo series by the same name, Senior Love Triangle is a narrative feature film that focuses on intimacy, romantic love, loneliness and loss through a trio of senior citizens.

Read more and watch the trailer here.

Presented in conjunction with Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art.

Showtimes for Senior Love Triangle:
7pm Friday, April 3
4pm & 7pm Saturday, April 4
2pm Sunday, April 5

Admission is free. Box office opens one hour prior to each screening.  Beer, wine, soda, water, popcorn and candy are available to purchase at all Towngate movies.

More Public Educational Programs:

In conjunction with Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art, Oglebay Institute will host a series of learning and community-building events. Programs explore the various facets of aging and how art can play a role in that experience. All programs are free and open to the public.

Pre-registration is recommended. Space is limited. Visit the links below or call 304-242-7700 to register.

Journey Through Dementia
6pm Thursday, March 5; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Presence Opening Reception
6:30-8:30pm Thursday, March 5; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Senior Yoga Workshop with Amy Johnson
10am Wednesday, March 11; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Help, Hope & Understanding: A Dialogue on Dementia
6pm Thursday, March 12; Stifel Fine Arts Center

An Evening of Spoken Word featuring Marc Harshman
6pm Thursday, March 19; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Dr. Susan Ridley and WLU Creative Arts Therapy Students
6pm Thursday, March 26; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Isadora Kosofsky Discusses Senior Love Triangle
6pm Thursday, April 2; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Senior Love Triangle
April 3-5; Towngate Theatre

It’s Never Too Late: Creating Art Later in Life
6pm Thursday, April 9; Stifel Fine Arts Center

NEA Panel on Creative Aging
6pm Thursday, April 16; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Navigating End-of-Life Care
6pm Thursday, April 23; Stifel Fine Arts Center

Towngate: A Unique Movie Theater in Wheeling.

A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District.

At Towngate, not only can you watch live theater productions, spoken word performances, improv and concerts, you can see movies, too! Towngate is also a single screen cinema. On select weekends throughout the year, we show classic and independent films, thought-provoking documentaries and film shorts by local and regional filmmakers. Our movie selections encourage thought and conversation.

Whether you consider yourself a film buff or you only like movies for the popcorn, our films will entertain and inspire. See you at Towngate!

EVENT IS CANCELED

Comedy in Wheeling: improv with the Crazy 8s 8pm Saturday, April 18 at Towngate Theatre.

Sponsored by Main Street Bank.

All tickets are $5. Purchase online, at the door or by calling 304-242-7700.

Treat yourself to a night of comedy in Wheeling.

Join the Crazy 8s for a night of improvisational comedy in Wheeling. These brave performers hit the Towngate Theatre stage without a script, props or a safety net. Armed only with adrenaline and their imaginations, they make-up stories on the spot that entertain and amuse.

Audience members offer suggestions for scenes, conflicts, characters and theatrical styles and contribute directly to the action on stage.

Made up of high school and college students, the Crazy 8s are brave, talented and oh, so funny! Each performance is filled with creative comedy and laughs galore.

Support these young performers!

Towngate is more than just theater…

In addition to a full season of community theater and children’s theater, Towngate hosts a variety of performing arts programs. Two very talented improvisation groups call Towngate Theatre home. The Left of Centre Players, an adult improv troupe, and the Crazy 8s, which comprises high school and college-aged thespians, perform throughout the year. Towngate also presents spoken word performances, live music, poetry readings, independent films and more.

EVENT IS CANCELED

Live Music in Wheeling: Hoard and Jones at Towngate
8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020.
Towngate Theatre

All tickets $12.50. Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700.

Sponsored by Main Street Bank.

Guitar master Roger Hoard and fiery fiddle player Dan Jones bring their musical talents to Towngate. This talented duo entertains audiences with crowd-pleasing tunes from a variety of artists ranging from Charlie Daniels to Tom Petty. Their dynamic show will have fans clapping, toe-tapping and dancing in the aisles.

Towngate Supports Live Music

Towngate proudly supports live music in Wheeling. Some of the region’s most versatile and entertaining musicians perform on the Towngate stage on select weekends throughout the year.

Towngate 2019-20 Live Music Schedule:

Ananga Martin Band Album Release Party August 17
The Trainjumpers with Adrian Niles September 13
Songwriters Circle with Joe Zelek October 26
A Very Bridge & Tunnel Christmas III December 20
Hermie & Harry’s Dueling Pianos January 18
MSM February 22
Hoard and Jones with Jamie Peck April 25
Bill Gorby & the Musical Mercenaries June 13

Towngate is more than just theater…

A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District. Towngate is a cornerstone of creative life in Wheeling and serves as an entertainment destination for residents of Wheeling, the Upper Ohio Valley and beyond. People of all ages and backgrounds gather here to create and experience art onstage.

At Towngate, you can watch live theater.  Listen to poetry and spoken word performances.  Bring the kiddos to a children’s theater production. Attend a ballet. You can take a class or audition for a play. We also showcase improvisational comedy. Local and regional musicians also perform on the Towngate stage. You can see movies, too. Enjoy hundreds of live performances, concerts, events and classes year-round. See you at Towngate!

The Gallery at Towngate will host the exhibit “Ways of Seeing, Ways of Speaking: Paintings and Drawings from Two Perspectives” from March 15-May 17.

The exhibit features the work of artists Clare McDonald and Erin Mellott. An opening reception takes place from 2-3:30pm Sunday, March 15. After the reception, the Crazy 8s improv troupe will perform on the Towngate stage from 3:30-4:30pm.

The exhibit will remain on display through May 17 and can be viewed free of charge 11am-1pm Monday-Friday and during all Towngate Theatre events.

About the Artists:

Clare McDonald

Clare McDonald was born in England and has been painting and drawing since early childhood. She studied art at advanced level in high school and was strongly encouraged to pursue an artistic career path. However, she took a different path for much of her life. In the mid-2000s, she returned to her artistic roots.

She took classes with local artists Mark Fleming and Pat Jacobson, became involved with the Independent Artist’s Group in Wheeling and attended as many drawing and painting opportunities in the area as she could. She participated in plein air events with ARTWORKS Around Town and Oglebay Institute and she has been accepted into several juried exhibitions in the last few years. In 2015, she received an Honorable Mention in the Crosscurrents exhibition at OI’s Stifel Fine Arts Center. She also received Merit and Honorable Mention awards at the Bethany Fall Annual Exhibition held at Bethany College.

In her artist statement she says, “Inspiration for a piece can come from anywhere, but many of my pieces contain some organic element. I try to connect with a path to finding the beauty in a scene or object. Light is key to my work and I strive to make light push out of the paper towards the viewer in order to help them understand the surfaces and structure of objects, as well as their beauty.”

Erin Mellot

Since childhood, Beallsville, Ohio native Erin Mellot has spent most of her free time creating art. While attending college at Ohio University Eastern, she completed every art class available, experimenting with new mediums and deepening her understanding of art.

In her artists statement Erin said, “Having autism has affected my communication and ability to form relationships, but art has helped me overcome these obstacles. Along with God, art has comforted me through many difficult circumstances, and without it, life would be so different. Art has been and will continue to be a special part of my life because it is my voice when I have none.”

Comedy in Wheeling: Improv with the Left of Centre Players 8pm Saturday, May 2 at Towngate Theatre.

Sponsored by Main Street Bank.

All tickets are $5. Purchase online, at the door or by calling 304-242-7700.

Treat yourself to a night of comedy in Wheeling.

Join the Left of Centre Players for a night of improvisational comedy in Wheeling. These brave performers hit the Towngate Theatre stage without a script, props or a safety net. Armed only with adrenaline and their imaginations, they make-up stories on the spot that entertain and amuse.

Audience members offer suggestions for scenes, conflicts, characters and theatrical styles and contribute directly to the action on stage.

The Players are brave, talented and oh, so funny! Each performance is filled with creative comedy and laughs galore.

Leave the kiddos at home. These shows are for mature audiences only. Strong language is possible.

You can purchase beer and wine at the show.

Towngate is more than just theater…

In addition to a full season of community theater and children’s theater, Towngate hosts a variety of performing arts programs. Two very talented improvisation groups call Towngate Theatre home. The Left of Centre Players, an adult improv troupe, and the Crazy 8s, which comprises high school and college-aged thespians, perform throughout the year. Towngate also presents spoken word performances, live music, poetry readings, independent films and more.

Celebrate musical theater with A Towngate Cabaret! Hosted by the Friends of Towngate, this entertaining evening of classic and modern show tunes features dozens of local stage veterans.

Tickets are $30 per person and include hors d’oeuvres, desserts and the show. Seating is general admission. Doors will open at 6 PM for a pre-show reception (included). The show will begin at 7 PM.

Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700.

Proceeds benefit the Friends of Towngate, which supports the creative work of the theatre, as well as projects to preserve the historic building.

Experience the magic of art onstage…

Towngate is the premiere venue for community theater in Wheeling.  Enjoy an intimate theater experience. Marvel at and applaud the talent of local actors. Experience a variety of though-provoking, heartwarming, comedic and historically significant works from renowned playwrights and talented newcomers. When watching a stage production, you are transported into a different world. Escape from reality and feel the energy created by sharing an intimate space with actors and fellow theatergoers.  Live action happens right before your eyes. There’s no app for that!  Furthermore, theater is a social experience meant to be shared with one another. So, bring your family and friends and meet new friends, too. And, most importantly, support your local actors, directors, stage managers, set and costume designers. They spend months working to bring characters and stories to life. Their efforts produce amazing art time and time again.

Keeping the Community in Community Theater in Wheeling. . .

Towngate is a cornerstone of creative life in Wheeling and serves as an entertainment destination for residents of the Ohio Valley and beyond. People of all ages and backgrounds gather here to create and experience art onstage. Most of all, Towngate celebrates the essential power of theater to illuminate our common humanity. The community enjoys and participates in hundreds of live performances, classes and workshops year-round.

Add Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre to your list of June 20 First Friday stops in Wheeling!

View the latest exhibit on display in “The Gallery at Towngate.” Enjoy short films on the Towngate big screen.  At 8 p.m., local spoken word artists “The Prosers” take the stage.

Doors open at 6p.m. Have a drink on us. Your first drink is complimentary. Wine and craft beer will be available. Enjoy some light foods, too. Mingle with our staff and explore our theater. Learn more about the many arts and entertainment events that take place year-round at Towngate.

Sponsored by Main Street Bank, all events are free and open to the public.

The Gallery at Towngate

Towngate Theatre is well known in Wheeling and its surrounding communities for community theater productions, children’s theater, concerts, ballet, film screenings, spoken word and other performing arts events. But did you know that Towngate is also an art gallery? The theater lobby is now home to changing art exhibits.

“The Gallery at Towngate” is an extension of the exhibit season hosted by Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Art Center. This second gallery space provides opportunities for artists to do solo exhibitions without having to fill a space as large as the Stifel Fine Arts Center. The gallery space also enhances the visitor experience for those attending performing arts events at Towngate.

Live music in Wheeling: Towngate Theatre presents acoustic country/bluegrass trio Bill Gorby & the Musical Mercenaries 8pm Saturday, June 13, 2020.

Bill Gorby & the Musical Mercenaries perform an eclectic array of American music with roots in folk, bluegrass, old time country music with a diverse mix of traditional, classic and modern music. The band boasts a strong focus on 3-part harmonies while featuring the instrumental talents of Bill Gorby, Buck Allemond and Jim Simpson.

All tickets are $12.50. Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700.

Towngate Supports Live Music

Towngate proudly supports live music in Wheeling. Some of the region’s most versatile and entertaining musicians perform on the Towngate stage on select weekends throughout the year.

Towngate 2019-20 Live Music Schedule:

Ananga Martin Band Album Release Party August 17
The Trainjumpers with Adrian Niles September 13
Songwriters Circle with Joe Zelek October 26
A Very Bridge & Tunnel Christmas III December 20
Hermie & Harry’s Dueling Pianos January 18
MSM February 22
Hoard and Jones with Jamie Peck April 25
Bill Gorby & the Musical Mercenaries June 13

Towngate is more than just theater…

A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District. Towngate is a cornerstone of creative life in Wheeling and serves as an entertainment destination for residents of Wheeling, the Upper Ohio Valley and beyond. People of all ages and backgrounds gather here to create and experience art onstage.

At Towngate, you can watch live theater.  Listen to poetry and spoken word performances. Bring the kiddos to a children’s theater production. Attend a ballet. You can take a class or audition for a play. We also showcase improvisational comedy. Local and regional musicians also perform on the Towngate stage. You can see movies, too! Enjoy hundreds of live performances, concerts, events and classes year-round. See you at Towngate!