Oakland Center leaves home and cancels rest of its season

YOUNGSTOWN — The Oakland Center for the Arts has left its longtime home in the Morley Building downtown, and canceled the rest of its season, as well as the 2015-16 season.

Officials at the struggling theater company, however, say the theater is not defunct and plans to resume producing plays in the 2016-17 season.

The Oakland had been barely active this season, presenting only movie screenings and other one-night events. The only theatrical production on its schedule was the play “Extremities,” which was set to open March 20. It is now canceled.

The Oakland — long known for its edgy, often adult-oriented fare — had fallen upon hard times in recent years. It shares the same challenges faced by community theaters across the country: declining ticket sales and a sharp decrease in grants and other funding.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com