Booneville - Seale Theater Project

02/13/2026

Booneville - Seale Theater Project Update:

It’s been a while since our last update, and a few things slowed us down — the crawl‑space moisture issue, the recent arctic blast, and, honestly, life. But we’re still moving, and we’re not stopping until this project is done.

When we first started cleanup, we planned for two businesses inside the theater: the theater itself and the Undergrounds Coffee House. Now, we even have a third idea in the works (details coming later).

Yesterday we met with a plumber, and we’re shifting our strategy. Because the state is requiring additional plumbing upstairs as well as an expanded HVAC plan — something we hadn’t planned for — our costs went up and created a shortfall for finishing the theater right now. So, we’re going to push to open the Coffee House first. Getting it up and running will help generate the revenue OCARE needs to keep the whole project moving and create more jobs for our county. It’s not the original plan, but it’s a solid one, and it gets us to the theater faster than sitting still.

We don’t have a theater timeline yet, but we’re aiming for a late‑summer opening for the Coffee House, Lord willing.
Thank you for your patience as we work this plan. We’re not quitting — we’re just getting creative so we can keep moving forward. We hope you'll join us for a cup of Coffee and maybe "donate us a cup of coffee" occasionally to help us move forward more quickly.

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01/19/2026

Update: the company actually had a mistake on the delivery status on their page and so it wasn’t delivered - yet. Should be this week.

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01/17/2026

Yesterday, OCARE had a delivery come to Booneville that was signed off on --- however, it never made it to us. It was the downspouts for the Seale. The box would have been around 10 to 11 feet long. If anyone has received it by accident, can you please let us know. We have messaged the company that delivered it but haven't received an answer yet.

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12/26/2025

Merry Christmas!!!

06/28/2025

🧡 Still Time to Share Your Voice! The Rising Together community survey is live—and we’re still listening!
📣 Whether you live or work in Owsley County, your feedback helps guide how we support local businesses, families, and recovery efforts.
📝 Just 5–10 minutes of your time makes a real difference.
👉 Take the survey here >>> https://forms.gle/55fBpb65iWsoEKwM8
Let’s keep building a stronger future, together. 💬💪

06/26/2025

🚀 Rising Together needs YOU! OCARE and our amazing partners are working to shape Owsley County’s future—but we need your voice. 📍 Live or work here? Take 5 (or 10) minutes to complete our quick community survey 👉 https://forms.gle/XNMY1VQXUwHDgzC6A Your input matters. Let’s rise together! 💬🧡

Your feedback will help us support businesses, strengthen families, and aid those impacted by substance use in Owsley County.

06/01/2025

Rarely will the Seale promote another theater in the future but sadly we didn't get ready soon enough to be the location for a local premier. ;) However, this is for a project close to our heart and we'll definitely share the good news!!!
On June 22nd at 3 PM, the Shiners documentary will be open Free to the public at the Richmond Cinemark Theater! All you have to do to ensure your spot is to RSVP by clicking the link below.

Hope to see you there!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOzVzaGeNaLmUJq3K5q8If4XKhC9IVs3F2Nr5vwDPlr7sM7w/viewform

A trailer for the 86 minute documentary - Shiners - Voices from Owsley County Along with stunning original music, students write and perform a play about growing…

05/24/2025

The hopes behind the reopening of the Seale Theater and the belief that Owsley is finally seeing better days ahead!

For a very long time, I've been interested in place-based projects, especially those centered around a 'sense of place.' In 2010, EKU approached Owsley County schools with the idea of conducting a place-based project, and I knew I had to be part of it. This experience became one of the most meaningf...

11/06/2024

Happening at the Action Team on Friday - November 22 @ 5 pm! Sign up for a spot I’d you haven’t already!

10/25/2024

Owsley received a multitude of blessings this day. After so many years of hoping and praying that Owsley would make a comeback, here we are!!! 35-36 million dollars that are going to be invested in our community! Grateful to be just a small part of a big group of visionaries! It’s not about the politics, it’s about prosperity and hope for the county I love. ❤️

Budget Project Announcements for Owsley County.

09/28/2024

Wrong date in the first posting. Oops! Booneville - Seale Theater Project Update #135:

What a difference a year can make. A photo of the inside last year, (October 1 2023) and today September 29, 2024). Next year, the hope is to be open.

OCARE received the remaining funds to begin the renovations. people ask us all the time how we did this with just an unpaid volunteer crew…a little bit of elbow grease, a lot of good people who pitch in to donate, work, or problem solve, a lot of stubbornness and a whole lot of faith!

We’re happy and blessed to be part of Owsley’s “Building Booneville Better”—-one building (or in our little town’s case multiple) at a time!