On October 16, 2007, the Lincoln Theatre Association celebrated the launch of a $12 million construction project to restore The Lincoln Theatre (771 E. Long St.) to its former glory. A Columbus landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once the shining gem of an upscale African-American community east of downtown, The Lincoln Theatre was home to Central Ohio’s flourishing African-American culture and was a Midwest precursor of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Lincoln Theatre originally opened its doors on November 26, 1928 as the Ogden Theatre and Ballroom. The building was a mixed-use facility which included a theatre for live performances and film presentation, a second-floor ballroom and meeting room, and street-level retail establishments.

The long-awaited launch of construction to restore The Lincoln Theatre was been led by Mayor Michael B. Coleman with the cooperation and support of the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and local community and business partners.

The Lincoln Theatre will celebrate its grand reopening in the spring of 2009. Maurice Hines, legendary actor, singer, dancer, director and choreographer, has been retained as Artistic Director. As such, Hines will produce three pieces at the Lincoln Theatre each year in the genres of musical theatre, dance and concert performance, all in collaboration with local African-American performance artists and groups in residence at the Lincoln.