From an article included in the program for The Best of EPAC Tenth Anniversay Celebration which was held on May 31, 2008.

On a chilly April 1st, 1998, a group of community minded people with a passion for theater turned the key, opened the doors and entered the abandoned "Towne" movie theater on Washington Avenue in Endicott. Originally named the Lyric Theater, the building was built as a vaudeville theater in 1916 by Benjamin Dittrich with assistance from George F. Johnson. Over the years it served as a vaudeville theater, silent movie theater, and finally a "talkie” movie theater.  Eventually, the Dittrich family sold the building to the Carroll's Corporation who changed the name to the "Towne" theater and operated it as a movie theater until they closed the doors and walked away in 1993. Endicott residents Bob Corwin, Pat and Steve Daglio, Sue Dunlap, Pat Foti and Lou Ligouri entered the abandoned movie theater hoping for the best, but seeing the worst. The theater which had been abandoned for the previous 5 years had fallen in horrible disrepair.  They made their way through broken plaster, falling ceilings, empty, mildewed and rusted theater chairs, tattered, stained and rotted curtains, ripped and deteriorated orange and brown wall coverings. There were extra theater chairs piled and stacked as far as the eye could see. Broken concession equipment filled the hallways and lobby. The heating system had long since frozen and quit. The electrical system defied logic.  It was obvious that the theater flooded when it rained and water leaked through large holes in the roof and the theater’s rusted pressed tin ceiling.  It was quite a sight. When Pat Foti and Lou Ligouri were asked lf they would be interested in spearheading the theater renovation project, they jumped at the opportunity and the Endicott Performing Arts Center was born.

Ten years later, the Endicott Performing Arts Center stands proud of what it has accomplished through the efforts of so many volunteers over the years. We have rescued an historic landmark and renovated it to its original purpose: a fully functional and beautiful 325 seat performing arts facility that any community would be proud of.  We have established the EPAC Repertory Company which has presented high quality and affordable performing arts events to the community since 1999 including such shows as Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, Fame, The Wall, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hello Dolly, The Summer of 42, 42nd Street and many, many more.  The Repertory Company has earned a Press & Sun Bulletin's Readers Choice Award in the Theater Performance/Company category each year for the past 5 years. The EPAC Lyric Performers were formed to offer the opportunity to all people, regardless of experience to get involved in and enjoy the many benefits of theater.  This year's production of What Are the Odds? will be the EPAC Lyric Performers’ 6th presentation.  The EPAC School for the Performing Arts offers private and group lessons in acting, voice, drums, guitar, piano, and dance.  Over 100 students are enrolled for various classes. The EPAC Kids’ Theater Workshops provide opportunities for the young people of our community to learn and experience the many wonders and benefits of live theater.  Many of our Kids’ theater alumni have gone on to pursue careers in the performing arts.  This year's productions of the Wizard of Oz and Fame marked the 9th year of the EPAC Kids’ Theater Workshop. Past productions have included Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, West Side Story, The Breakfast Club, Beauty and the Beast, High School Musical and many more.  EPAC also conducts a Kids’ Summer Theater Workshop each summer. The EPAC Devin Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2003 and provides scholarships yearly to graduating area high school seniors who are pursuing a career in the arts.  Over the past 5 years, EPAC has given out over $8000 in scholarships to honor the memory and spirit of Devin Spears. The EPAC Concert Series showcases regional and touring performing artists to our community. Past artists include Tanglefoot, Pat Kane, Cobblestone Crossing, Aztec Two Step, Rod MacDonald, and many others. Last year alone, we brought over 22,000 people down to the Washington Avenue Business District for well over 200 performances, rehearsals, classes and events. What has been accomplished here on Washington Avenue is nothing short of a "miracle".  It is a tribute and testament to the original core group of volunteers who grew to call themselves the “dirty dozen" with deserved pride. Along with their blood, sweat and tears, they gave up vacations, weekends and evenings to make a dream become a reality. The story of the Endicott Performing Arts Center is proof that a community can be changed for the better by individuals with a common cause and passion.  There are many to thank for this miracle.  We give sincere and heartfelt thanks to the original "dirty dozen" and the many dozens of volunteers who have followed in their footsteps over the past 10 years. Our thanks go out to each member of our community for their support in so many ways and especially to the many wonderful and talented performing artists and arts organizations who have joined with us in spreading the word about the arts and the wonderful effects that they have on our lives, our children, and the community.  People have noticed over the years that the EPAC marquee changes on a regular basis to announce upcoming events.  But one message has been on the front of the marquee since EPAC reopened this historic theater in 1999.  It says "EPAC THANKS YOU" and it's there (and always will be) because we truly do deeply appreciate the support of each member of our community.
 

From Lou Ligouri, Pat Foti, and the Board of the Endicott Performing Arts Center, heartfelt thanks and God’s blessing to you all.  Here's to the “Miracle on Washington Avenue”.