'Under the Sea' was must-see

SANDUSKY — It's safe to say Friday's Sandusky State Theatre gala went swimmingly.Guests attending the theater's 91st fundraising event were transported into an underwater world with the gala's "Under the Sea" theme. The event also doubles as the theater's anniversary celebration, said Chris Parthemore, the theater's executive director.Before the gala began, Perkins and St. Mary Central Catholic high school students lent their talents to create art depicting sea creatures. They stopped by the theater Thursday to put their pieces into place.Perkins High School students created jellyfish to decorate the Sandusky State Theatre for its annual gala.Perkins High School art students made jellyfish using a plastic bowl and wrapping parts of plastic mesh around them. When hung from the ceiling, the jellyfish's longer pieces of plastic mesh hang down with rope lights to mimic tentacles. "It's nice to be able to engage in the community," sophomore Emma Lynch said about making art for the gala. "As students, we don't see how the State Theatre operates and gets money, so this is a unique experience."St. Mary Central Catholic students helped create an aquarium scene at Sandusky State Theatre's concession stand.For their part, St. Mary Central Catholic High School students carved fish and other wildlife out of foam and used acrylic paint to make them colorful. Their creations hang at the concession stand. They also made crabs and other items out of paper mache."It's good for the school to get recognized for this," SMCC senior Abby Fullam said.Perkins and St. Mary Central Catholic students and their art teachers get together for a group photo while setting up Thursday afternoon for the Sandusky State Theatre's annual gala.Parthemore said he's grateful for the students and other volunteers who step up to make the event great."It really takes a village to pull off an event this large," he said. "We couldn't do it without the volunteers, staff, gala committee, and especially the local students who provide the artwork to decorate the theater. The students from Perkins and Sandusky Central Catholic schools did an incredible job and we appreciate their work in the community and at the theater."Perkins High School students assist with the setup of the Sandusky State Theatre's annual gala on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.Friday's gala went well with 200 guests showing up to support the cause. The gala committee didn't establish an exact fundraising goal. "Everyone's having a great time and the theater's beautiful," Parthemore said. "The community's really generous with us. We just try to give them a wonderful evening and everything takes care of itself."He continued: "We appreciate the community's support and can't do it without them." Anyone who wants to donate to the Sandusky State Theatre can call the box office at 419-626-1950.Different colored lights and decorations dress up the Sandusky State Theatre for its annual gala with an "Under the Sea" theme on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019.Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodDifferent colored lights and decorations dress up the Sandusky State Theatre for its annual gala with an "Under the Sea" theme on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019.Perkins senior Amber Canino places bubbles at each place setting Thursday afternoon in preparation for the Sandusky State Theatre's annual gala.