Seth Johnathon REIMER^{[1, 2]}

• Name	Seth Johnathon REIMER  [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
  Gender	Male
  Education	he graduated from Oklahoma City University with a bachelor of science degree in dance, arts and entertainment management  [5]
  Education	he graduated from Oklahoma City University with a bachelor of science degree in dance, arts and entertainment management  [5]
  HIST	of New York City, New York how is Cassidy Brooke Reimer related to Seth? jkh Date Published: January 20, 2008 Alford-Reimer Mr. and Mrs. John Alford Jr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Alford of Sumter, to Seth Reimer of New York City, N.Y., son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Reimer of Ulysses, Kan. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of R. Powell Black and the late Mrs. Mildred Black and the late Mr. and Mrs. John C. Alford, all of Sumter. She graduated from Wilson Hall and Oklahoma City University with a degree in dance performance. She is employed as an artistic director by Miss Libby's School of Dance in Sumter. The bridegroom-elect is the grandson of John Reimer and the late Mrs. Edith Reimer of Plains, Kan., and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Schooley of Walnut, Kan. He graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in arts and entertainment management. He is employed as a performance manager at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The wedding is planned for Aug. 2, 2008, at Wise Drive Baptist Church in Sumter. Take 'A Big Bite Out of the Big Apple': 15th Sumter Arts Showcase a tour of New York KEITH GEDAMKE / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM Take 'A Big Bite Out of the Big Apple': 15th Sumter Arts Showcase a tour of New York The Rising Stars of Miss Libby's School of Dance, along with other performers from the community, will take audience members on a tour of New York City during the 15th annual Sumter Arts Showcase at Patriot Hall on Feb. 25 and 26. BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com The 15th Sumter Arts Showcase will be an all-star affair. That's because the production titled "A Bite Out of the Big Apple" requires the talents of all of the Rising Stars from Miss Libby's School of Dance, plus some special guest stars, to present a tour of the entertainment options of New York City. More than 120 performers will take the stage for the two-hour shows at Patriot Hall at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Seth and Jennifer Reimer of Miss Libby's are the respective technical and artistic directors of Showcase, and Jennifer is the primary choreographer. Both lived in New York for several years, and Jennifer said, "A lot of people have never been, or people who have been might want to reminisce about it again. We're trying to really bring New York to Sumter - and save them a lot of money." Coincidentally, she said, "This is the first year I'm going to take a group of the dancers to New York to take a lot of dance classes and do some workshops. It'll be a great, growing experience for them." The Showcase will offer a wide variety of experiences. "What can't you get in New York City?" Jennifer said. "We had such a good time making the show, because it's limitless. It's the 'city that never sleeps,' so there's always something going on. It was hard to narrow it down to what were the most important things about a city that big and how can you fit it into two hours." Reimer said the show won't concentrate just on Broadway shows or dance companies, as you might expect from a dance company. "We're doing one scene from a Broadway show, and our Elite Stars - our competitive gymnastics team - will be involved in that," she said. "We're also going to do something from the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Christmas spectacular; but the show is all about the arts in general and how everyday life in New York can be about music and theater and the arts." To accomplish the "tour," Reimer said, "We're going to hit on all the districts that are fun, some current stuff and a couple of famous things from the past. There are so many possibilities." Another aspect of the Showcase is that it illustrates that Sumter has many gifted performers, too, she said. "Seth always says there's so much talent in Sumter, and there's always something to do," Jennifer said. "A lot of talent is in this show, so he suggests making it a night - go out to dinner at a local restaurant then see the show." The format of Showcase has been changed this year, as well, she said. The entire show will be focused on the theme, rather than having one act be a variety show. There will still be two acts with an intermission. "We've found some great local talent, some from last year's Sumter's Got Talent show," Jennifer said, "and Seth and I will go see anything that Sumter has to offer as far as the arts go that we can make it to. We've been scoping out some local talent and we've got some great people." Among them are a drum soloist, a vocal quartet, a pianist-singer and a harmonica player, all of whom will be incorporated into the New York theme. The Sumter High School Show Choir will participate again this year. Set in the New York's diamond district, they will perform "Big Spender" from the musical "Sweet Charity." More than 120 Miss Libby's dancers and gymnasts of all ages will perform. While Reimer choreographed most of the show, other Miss Libby's instructors have also choreographed some portions. Holly DuBose, Jill Luzzi, Cassie Castleberry, Mary Simmons and Jamila Wright each have dances in the show. Jennifer said the audience can expect to see tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and gymnastics, "something to appeal to everyone." While she has been working on the dance and music for the show, Seth has been designing and building the set, with assistance from Stan Durant. Jennifer said the set will change for each scene, and a new lighting and projection system, with Patriot Hall's David Shoemaker operating it, will make its debut. Those, along with colorful and exotic costumes, "will bring a new look and keep the show fresh," she said. The dancers "are really excited about the show," she said. "They've had the best time working on this show, rehearsing for months and giving up their Saturdays, and we've had a lot of help from parents and grandparents, too. This is the dancers' favorite show we do all year. It's our big show for the year." The Sumter Arts Showcase is not just about fun and entertainment, however, she pointed out. "We do it to raise funds for the Tuomey Foundation," she said. "I got a chance to experience what the funds we've raised have done when I had my son, J.T., who's now 20 months old, at the (James E. Bell Jr). Women and Infants Pavilion. It was a wonderful experience." Vicki Singleton, the annual fund director for the Tuomey Foundation, said Miss Libby's has raised more than $266,000 since 2001. She took her children, then 5 and 9, to last year's Showcase and said, "They loved every minute of it. It's a great show for all ages. We'll absolutely be back again this year." Reimer also pointed out that there are two events happening at 6 p.m. before Saturday's show. "We'll have a special reception for our sponsors, and the Rising Stars will have a silent auction that's open to everyone," she said. The auction will include more than 100 items such as trips, spa treatments, kids' toys and room decor, golf lessons, jewelry, art and much more, Reimer said. Take "A Bite Out of the Big Apple" with the Sumter Arts Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Call Miss Libby's School of Dance at (803) 469-8277 or visit www.sumterartsshowcase.com for more information or tickets. Posted in Panorama on Sunday, February 19, 2012 City cultural manager sets goals 'Opera House can be busiest venue in town' MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM Seth Reimer has been cultural manager for the city of Sumter since August 2013. He's brought some big names to the stage of the Sumter Opera House and has made it his mission to make the venue a more integral part of the community. He's already booked several name acts. Sumter Opera House Performances Thursday - Songs from the Heart April 4 - Sumter Jazz Ensemble April 13 - Brad Mehldau Trio April 26 - Rob Crosby & Writers in the Round BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com (803) 774-1221 Seth Reimer wants to make the Sumter Opera House a more integral part of the community, as well as a destination for people around the state - and even out of state - looking for good entertainment. As the cultural manager for the city since August, he's already booking quality performers into the 550-seat auditorium. Reimer seems uniquely suited for his position. He grew up in the "small farming village" of Moscow, in southwest Kansas, where his parents were involved in the arts. "They made sure I learned to sing and play instruments," Reimer said. His interest and involvement continued into college at Oklahoma City University, where he met his wife, the former Jennifer Alford of Sumter. Following graduation, both moved to New York City, where he worked as tour manager for various dance companies based out of the city. "Then I took a position with Macy's and worked in their annual events department - the Thanksgiving Day parade and Santa Land, where they turn the eighth floor into Santa Land, which is very much like (in the film) 'Miracle on 34th Street.'" Reimer was also involved in the department store's Fourth of July fireworks display, its spring flower show, "where they turn the first floor into this topiary, live flower garden. It's beautiful and amazing. I was still working as a stagehand, keeping my hands dirty slinging cables and getting more knowledge of the industry on a large production scale." During this time, he said, "I worked the VH1 Awards, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the Bryant Park Fashion Week." One of his most memorable jobs was working on the 9/11 commemoration ceremonies from 2003 through 2006, Reimer said. "That was something that was extremely neat to be a part of. While that was going on, I applied to work at Carnegie Hall as a performance manager, managing daily performances, making sure everything went smoothly." After some time in New York, Reimer proposed to Jennifer. She said yes, "and then right after that, she moved home to Sumter, and I followed her," he said. That was fine with Reimer, he said, "because I wanted to live in a small town. I always wanted to be a family man but still be able to contribute to the arts community. I feel like with three performance venues here in Sumter, we're a step ahead of most places." The Reimers soon became co-owners of Miss Libby's School of Dance, where they've been for eight years, producing February's acclaimed Sumter Arts Showcase in addition to the school's other projects. They have two children, J.T., 4 in May, and Kinslee, 1 1/2. He's been at the Sumter Opera House for just eight months, but Reimer is confident the historic landmark is destined to become one of the busiest performance venues around. "It's a beautiful facility," he said. "Its interior is beautiful, but the last update was 1986, so we're pushing 30 years. We just need to update the equipment, create a box office and a patron lounge." He also thinks the Sumter Opera House is special to the people of Sumter. "So many have told me of experiences they had here," Reimer said. "Some had their first dates here when it was being used as a movie theater, and others came to concerts or other shows. And a lot of people have actually performed on the stage. "Everybody wants to know that their opera house is having a show. What makes people come back to the Sumter Opera House is that patron experience and the artistic experience." One of Reimer's primary goals is "to sell it out regularly. For now, commercial-type concerts are what people are buying tickets for, like Leon Russell (who performed there Wednesday) or Frankie Avalon. If people hear it on the radio or see it on TV, they'll go." He's also booking performers like "Brad Mehldau, who is not a commercial artist, but yet internationally recognized and just as respected," he said. "He's an American jazz pianist, but not the way this community may think of jazz, because we're very big on big band and swing jazz, or Dizzy Gillespie-type jazz. Mehldau is more Americana style. He does what the notes and music tell him to. It's being created as you're right there listening to him. He knows his music backwards and forwards and takes you on the journey with him." Reimer knew of Mehldau through his own work at Carnegie Hall. "He played there with a lot of well known performers, like Joshua Redman," one of the world's most acclaimed jazz saxophone players and composers, Reimer said. "He's the type of artist that, in terms of artistic communities like Atlanta, Columbia, Charleston, Charlotte, will give us some clout. I'm trying to slowly build esoteric performances that are not mainstream, that are quality, but not commercial. I want to build an audience for variety." While he got his share of unusual requests from performers at Carnegie Hall, Reimer said Mehldau has made one special request for his trio's April 13 concert. "Right now, I'm looking for an upright bass for his bass player to borrow," he said. "He doesn't want one from a music store, he wants one from a musician, so I'm looking for a musician who wouldn't mind letting this world-renowned musician play his bass for a night." The regular Opera House season will run from September through April. "There are so many activities downtown during the summer," Reimer said, "but we'll continue the children's summer movie series and special events." Performances by local groups, such as the Sumter Community Concert Band, the Sumter Civic Chorale and others, as well as some of the national artists booked by the Sumter Shaw Community Concert Association, will continue to perform at the venue. Another goal Reimer has set for the Opera House is to have more community involvement. "I'd love to get people who are really interested in the arts to become volunteers," he said. "Whether they want to help with box office or ushering or in some other way. "They can give performers the personal touch, demonstrate our Southern hospitality and answer any questions guests might have," Reimer said. "The Sumter Opera House is on the national historic register, it's 120 years old, and it belongs to the community. "I really believe the Opera House can be key to economic impact on the community through the arts, as well as enhancing the entertainment experience here," he said. Reach the Sumter Opera House at 21 N. Main St., (803) 436-2500, sumteroperahouse.com or P.O. Box 1449, Sumter, SC 29151. Posted in Panorama on Sunday, March 23, 2014 Past is Present, presented by Sumter Museum: Sumter Opera House's Reimer, Grover talk preserving its soul, preparing for next act Seth Reimer, right, cultural manager for the City of Sumter, and Kara Grover, left, theater services coordinator for the Sumter Opera House, are part of the team leading the historic venue as it undergoes monumental renovations to preserve its legacy while preparing it for the next generation of performances. ABIGAIL PITTMAN / THE SUMTER ITEM Posted Saturday, February 28, 2026 6:00 am BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com If Sumter had a heartbeat, one you could point out without delay or need for discussion, it would be downtown. And if downtown had a silhouette you could recognize in a blink, it would be Sumter Opera House. From its iconic clock tower to its art-deco leaf that still renders one awestruck, the 133-years-young venue has stood as more than a building in the hustle and bustle of Sumter's Main Street. It has been a landmark, a meeting place, a backdrop for photoshoots and a front-row seat to the city's changing seasons. It has watched this city grow from one generation to the next, holding space in its seats and balconies for those who look to be entertained and encouraged when everything shifts. "It was meant to be a place for entertainment, a place to escape and a place to give people somewhere to go to create memories and experience something different than what their day-to-day life would give them," explained Seth Reimer, cultural manager for City of Sumter. From its inception in 1872, Reimer said, the opera house was designed with the community in mind. In that 1800s era, opera houses doubled as civic anchors, serving as hubs for city meetings and community gatherings by day and offering a stage for heartstopping performances by night. Over time, Sumter's Opera House became recognizable for its exterior as well as its interior. Its iconic 100-foot clock tower served different roles throughout the venue's chapters, from a gathering place for townspeople to learn wartime news to alerting volunteer firefighters. And much like downtown Sumter, the opera house weathered the mid-century drift toward a more leisure-filled, suburban life. There were periods when it was used less, which meant the talk of tearing it down became prevalent. "I'm so grateful that we had several citizens and council members that had the foresight to preserve this beautiful space," Reimer said. That foresight shaped the venue's future. It went on to earn its rightful place on the National Register of Historical Places in 1973, cementing it both nationally and locally among downtown's historic district as well as its legacy for generations to come. It would go dark in 1982 after 46 years in operation as a movie theater. The future of the venue, much like the black paint that covered its art-deco leaf, was dark. That is, until a major renovation in 1984 transformed the space into what we recognize today. It went back to its roots as a meeting place, additional office space for city operations and a place for major announcements. But that spark, that it-factor that made it a hometown landmark, still lived in the hymns, harmonies and riffs of the performers who graced its stage. "We've had Grammy Award winners, we've had Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends on the same stage," Reimer expressed. "We're excited to see where this goes now." "This" being Sumter Opera House's monumental renovation. Today, the sound of hammers hitting nails, saws cutting through wood and the crunching of dirt and dust under steel-toed boots are the harmonies floating into the rafters. This transformation is one that centers on preservation of what makes the opera house well-loved and a modernization that ensures it can serve Sumter for the next century. Kara Grover, theater services coordinator for the opera house, said the renovations are about expanding what the building can do to better fit the needs of entertainment interests of the people. I think the accessibility of the place is going to be transformed. We're getting a whole new building, we get to have elevators that go to the second floor, we'll have an actual lobby space," she shared with excitement. Next door, 19 N. Main St., will serve as the venue's new front of house, bringing improved traffic flow, more bathrooms, a dedicated box office and more room to mix and mingle before dancing and singing the night away. Inside the actual auditorium, sight lines will also be improved with the removal of columns and reconfiguring of box seats, while seating will be updated for comfort and accessibility. But with these changes, Reimer and Grover assured that the soul of the venue will remain intact. The ornate plasterwork will remain, a signature feature of its interior many recognize easily. That includes referencing the work of Navino Nattaloni, the artist who painted the opera house in the 1930s. The renovation team is studying his iconic style and palette to bring back the colors and visual choices that reflect the period, from earth tones to sun rays and floral rays that still appear in the proscenium today. If the experience for guests is taken up a notch, the same goes for backstage.Behind the scenes, there are easily accessible dressing rooms, more convenient means for getting to and from stage than walking outside through an alley, a proper green room and gathering spaces for artists, backstage storage, designated lounge areas for the opera house's loyal volunteers and crew and a new loading dock. The opera house is being designed to work the way a modern performing arts center should while still feeling like the place generations remember. It's that attention to detail, that desire to preserve what was entrusted to them that wakes Reimer and Grover up every morning and keeps them up well into the night. Reimer, who toured with dance companies across New York City before coming to Sumter by way of marriage, entered the role of cultural manager in 2014; back then, the position was part-time. "Shortly after, I realized, you can't do this part-time," he said with laughter. "I think [then-mayor] Joe McElveen had said he always wanted somebody who would wake up every day and think about the Sumpter Opera House and how to make it better than it was. And he got his wish." In that same light, Grover, an accomplished opera singer who has traveled the world, sharing her talents and expertise, found her way to Sumter through marriage, her husband being stationed at Shaw Air Force Base. The charm of the Opera House settled within her, too, almost feeling too good to be true. "I thought, 'This isn't real,'" she said about the job posting. "But after some research and applying, things came to fruition, and I became part of the dream team." For both of them, the opera house has shifted greatly within the past decade, from a rental facility to a more active, curated performing arts center, even with a small staff of four. That growth has meant bringing in acts that are well-loved and also introducing audiences to what they didn't know they were missing. Sometimes, Reimer said, a show may sell 100 tickets. Ideal? Not quite. Not until you see those 100 people leaving with a memory they can't wait to tell their kids about. The experience often surprises newcomers because it feels intimate and intentional. But, perhaps, the most enduring impact is on local students. The ones who are bouncing in their seats, their excitement palpable as the matinee show starts. Grover recalled her first time hearing opera as a student, a moment that sticks among the rest in her mind and altered the direction of her life. That same spark can be seen in local students who might not remember every detail of what they watched, but they remember how it made them feel. Because the beginning of appreciation isn't always applause, but attention. And once you have the attention, that's where wonder begins. Sumter Opera House has lasted this long because the community decided it should. At its Grand Closing Bash in June 2025, the pair, along with team members Tim Langford and Ellen Jansen, experienced a mix of emotions: happiness, sadness, hope. The feeling of the community that has supported the venue for over a century saying goodbye to decades of memories while trying to offer a clear vision forward was surreal, but it was necessary. "The reopening isn't going to be the pinnacle of our existence," Grover said. "It's just the start of a new chapter." "Our why is for the people," Reimer explained. "It's certainly for the building - that's important to preserve this landmark, but the why is for the people and for the kids." The opera house was never only about brick and plaster or a clock tower peeking over trees and a stage for performers of caliber. From its past to its present, it has always been the people who walk through the doors, take the seats and enjoy the show. And when its main stage welcomes audiences again, the Opera House will feel new in form but familiar in spirit, beating to the same song that never stopped playing.  [2, 3, 5, 7, 8]
  HIST	of New York City, New York how is Cassidy Brooke Reimer related to Seth? jkh Date Published: January 20, 2008 Alford-Reimer Mr. and Mrs. John Alford Jr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Alford of Sumter, to Seth Reimer of New York City, N.Y., son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Reimer of Ulysses, Kan. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of R. Powell Black and the late Mrs. Mildred Black and the late Mr. and Mrs. John C. Alford, all of Sumter. She graduated from Wilson Hall and Oklahoma City University with a degree in dance performance. She is employed as an artistic director by Miss Libby's School of Dance in Sumter. The bridegroom-elect is the grandson of John Reimer and the late Mrs. Edith Reimer of Plains, Kan., and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Schooley of Walnut, Kan. He graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in arts and entertainment management. He is employed as a performance manager at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The wedding is planned for Aug. 2, 2008, at Wise Drive Baptist Church in Sumter. Take 'A Big Bite Out of the Big Apple': 15th Sumter Arts Showcase a tour of New York KEITH GEDAMKE / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM Take 'A Big Bite Out of the Big Apple': 15th Sumter Arts Showcase a tour of New York The Rising Stars of Miss Libby's School of Dance, along with other performers from the community, will take audience members on a tour of New York City during the 15th annual Sumter Arts Showcase at Patriot Hall on Feb. 25 and 26. BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com The 15th Sumter Arts Showcase will be an all-star affair. That's because the production titled "A Bite Out of the Big Apple" requires the talents of all of the Rising Stars from Miss Libby's School of Dance, plus some special guest stars, to present a tour of the entertainment options of New York City. More than 120 performers will take the stage for the two-hour shows at Patriot Hall at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Seth and Jennifer Reimer of Miss Libby's are the respective technical and artistic directors of Showcase, and Jennifer is the primary choreographer. Both lived in New York for several years, and Jennifer said, "A lot of people have never been, or people who have been might want to reminisce about it again. We're trying to really bring New York to Sumter - and save them a lot of money." Coincidentally, she said, "This is the first year I'm going to take a group of the dancers to New York to take a lot of dance classes and do some workshops. It'll be a great, growing experience for them." The Showcase will offer a wide variety of experiences. "What can't you get in New York City?" Jennifer said. "We had such a good time making the show, because it's limitless. It's the 'city that never sleeps,' so there's always something going on. It was hard to narrow it down to what were the most important things about a city that big and how can you fit it into two hours." Reimer said the show won't concentrate just on Broadway shows or dance companies, as you might expect from a dance company. "We're doing one scene from a Broadway show, and our Elite Stars - our competitive gymnastics team - will be involved in that," she said. "We're also going to do something from the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Christmas spectacular; but the show is all about the arts in general and how everyday life in New York can be about music and theater and the arts." To accomplish the "tour," Reimer said, "We're going to hit on all the districts that are fun, some current stuff and a couple of famous things from the past. There are so many possibilities." Another aspect of the Showcase is that it illustrates that Sumter has many gifted performers, too, she said. "Seth always says there's so much talent in Sumter, and there's always something to do," Jennifer said. "A lot of talent is in this show, so he suggests making it a night - go out to dinner at a local restaurant then see the show." The format of Showcase has been changed this year, as well, she said. The entire show will be focused on the theme, rather than having one act be a variety show. There will still be two acts with an intermission. "We've found some great local talent, some from last year's Sumter's Got Talent show," Jennifer said, "and Seth and I will go see anything that Sumter has to offer as far as the arts go that we can make it to. We've been scoping out some local talent and we've got some great people." Among them are a drum soloist, a vocal quartet, a pianist-singer and a harmonica player, all of whom will be incorporated into the New York theme. The Sumter High School Show Choir will participate again this year. Set in the New York's diamond district, they will perform "Big Spender" from the musical "Sweet Charity." More than 120 Miss Libby's dancers and gymnasts of all ages will perform. While Reimer choreographed most of the show, other Miss Libby's instructors have also choreographed some portions. Holly DuBose, Jill Luzzi, Cassie Castleberry, Mary Simmons and Jamila Wright each have dances in the show. Jennifer said the audience can expect to see tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and gymnastics, "something to appeal to everyone." While she has been working on the dance and music for the show, Seth has been designing and building the set, with assistance from Stan Durant. Jennifer said the set will change for each scene, and a new lighting and projection system, with Patriot Hall's David Shoemaker operating it, will make its debut. Those, along with colorful and exotic costumes, "will bring a new look and keep the show fresh," she said. The dancers "are really excited about the show," she said. "They've had the best time working on this show, rehearsing for months and giving up their Saturdays, and we've had a lot of help from parents and grandparents, too. This is the dancers' favorite show we do all year. It's our big show for the year." The Sumter Arts Showcase is not just about fun and entertainment, however, she pointed out. "We do it to raise funds for the Tuomey Foundation," she said. "I got a chance to experience what the funds we've raised have done when I had my son, J.T., who's now 20 months old, at the (James E. Bell Jr). Women and Infants Pavilion. It was a wonderful experience." Vicki Singleton, the annual fund director for the Tuomey Foundation, said Miss Libby's has raised more than $266,000 since 2001. She took her children, then 5 and 9, to last year's Showcase and said, "They loved every minute of it. It's a great show for all ages. We'll absolutely be back again this year." Reimer also pointed out that there are two events happening at 6 p.m. before Saturday's show. "We'll have a special reception for our sponsors, and the Rising Stars will have a silent auction that's open to everyone," she said. The auction will include more than 100 items such as trips, spa treatments, kids' toys and room decor, golf lessons, jewelry, art and much more, Reimer said. Take "A Bite Out of the Big Apple" with the Sumter Arts Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Call Miss Libby's School of Dance at (803) 469-8277 or visit www.sumterartsshowcase.com for more information or tickets. Posted in Panorama on Sunday, February 19, 2012 City cultural manager sets goals 'Opera House can be busiest venue in town' MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM Seth Reimer has been cultural manager for the city of Sumter since August 2013. He's brought some big names to the stage of the Sumter Opera House and has made it his mission to make the venue a more integral part of the community. He's already booked several name acts. Sumter Opera House Performances Thursday - Songs from the Heart April 4 - Sumter Jazz Ensemble April 13 - Brad Mehldau Trio April 26 - Rob Crosby & Writers in the Round BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com (803) 774-1221 Seth Reimer wants to make the Sumter Opera House a more integral part of the community, as well as a destination for people around the state - and even out of state - looking for good entertainment. As the cultural manager for the city since August, he's already booking quality performers into the 550-seat auditorium. Reimer seems uniquely suited for his position. He grew up in the "small farming village" of Moscow, in southwest Kansas, where his parents were involved in the arts. "They made sure I learned to sing and play instruments," Reimer said. His interest and involvement continued into college at Oklahoma City University, where he met his wife, the former Jennifer Alford of Sumter. Following graduation, both moved to New York City, where he worked as tour manager for various dance companies based out of the city. "Then I took a position with Macy's and worked in their annual events department - the Thanksgiving Day parade and Santa Land, where they turn the eighth floor into Santa Land, which is very much like (in the film) 'Miracle on 34th Street.'" Reimer was also involved in the department store's Fourth of July fireworks display, its spring flower show, "where they turn the first floor into this topiary, live flower garden. It's beautiful and amazing. I was still working as a stagehand, keeping my hands dirty slinging cables and getting more knowledge of the industry on a large production scale." During this time, he said, "I worked the VH1 Awards, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the Bryant Park Fashion Week." One of his most memorable jobs was working on the 9/11 commemoration ceremonies from 2003 through 2006, Reimer said. "That was something that was extremely neat to be a part of. While that was going on, I applied to work at Carnegie Hall as a performance manager, managing daily performances, making sure everything went smoothly." After some time in New York, Reimer proposed to Jennifer. She said yes, "and then right after that, she moved home to Sumter, and I followed her," he said. That was fine with Reimer, he said, "because I wanted to live in a small town. I always wanted to be a family man but still be able to contribute to the arts community. I feel like with three performance venues here in Sumter, we're a step ahead of most places." The Reimers soon became co-owners of Miss Libby's School of Dance, where they've been for eight years, producing February's acclaimed Sumter Arts Showcase in addition to the school's other projects. They have two children, J.T., 4 in May, and Kinslee, 1 1/2. He's been at the Sumter Opera House for just eight months, but Reimer is confident the historic landmark is destined to become one of the busiest performance venues around. "It's a beautiful facility," he said. "Its interior is beautiful, but the last update was 1986, so we're pushing 30 years. We just need to update the equipment, create a box office and a patron lounge." He also thinks the Sumter Opera House is special to the people of Sumter. "So many have told me of experiences they had here," Reimer said. "Some had their first dates here when it was being used as a movie theater, and others came to concerts or other shows. And a lot of people have actually performed on the stage. "Everybody wants to know that their opera house is having a show. What makes people come back to the Sumter Opera House is that patron experience and the artistic experience." One of Reimer's primary goals is "to sell it out regularly. For now, commercial-type concerts are what people are buying tickets for, like Leon Russell (who performed there Wednesday) or Frankie Avalon. If people hear it on the radio or see it on TV, they'll go." He's also booking performers like "Brad Mehldau, who is not a commercial artist, but yet internationally recognized and just as respected," he said. "He's an American jazz pianist, but not the way this community may think of jazz, because we're very big on big band and swing jazz, or Dizzy Gillespie-type jazz. Mehldau is more Americana style. He does what the notes and music tell him to. It's being created as you're right there listening to him. He knows his music backwards and forwards and takes you on the journey with him." Reimer knew of Mehldau through his own work at Carnegie Hall. "He played there with a lot of well known performers, like Joshua Redman," one of the world's most acclaimed jazz saxophone players and composers, Reimer said. "He's the type of artist that, in terms of artistic communities like Atlanta, Columbia, Charleston, Charlotte, will give us some clout. I'm trying to slowly build esoteric performances that are not mainstream, that are quality, but not commercial. I want to build an audience for variety." While he got his share of unusual requests from performers at Carnegie Hall, Reimer said Mehldau has made one special request for his trio's April 13 concert. "Right now, I'm looking for an upright bass for his bass player to borrow," he said. "He doesn't want one from a music store, he wants one from a musician, so I'm looking for a musician who wouldn't mind letting this world-renowned musician play his bass for a night." The regular Opera House season will run from September through April. "There are so many activities downtown during the summer," Reimer said, "but we'll continue the children's summer movie series and special events." Performances by local groups, such as the Sumter Community Concert Band, the Sumter Civic Chorale and others, as well as some of the national artists booked by the Sumter Shaw Community Concert Association, will continue to perform at the venue. Another goal Reimer has set for the Opera House is to have more community involvement. "I'd love to get people who are really interested in the arts to become volunteers," he said. "Whether they want to help with box office or ushering or in some other way. "They can give performers the personal touch, demonstrate our Southern hospitality and answer any questions guests might have," Reimer said. "The Sumter Opera House is on the national historic register, it's 120 years old, and it belongs to the community. "I really believe the Opera House can be key to economic impact on the community through the arts, as well as enhancing the entertainment experience here," he said. Reach the Sumter Opera House at 21 N. Main St., (803) 436-2500, sumteroperahouse.com or P.O. Box 1449, Sumter, SC 29151. Posted in Panorama on Sunday, March 23, 2014 Past is Present, presented by Sumter Museum: Sumter Opera House's Reimer, Grover talk preserving its soul, preparing for next act Seth Reimer, right, cultural manager for the City of Sumter, and Kara Grover, left, theater services coordinator for the Sumter Opera House, are part of the team leading the historic venue as it undergoes monumental renovations to preserve its legacy while preparing it for the next generation of performances. ABIGAIL PITTMAN / THE SUMTER ITEM Posted Saturday, February 28, 2026 6:00 am BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com If Sumter had a heartbeat, one you could point out without delay or need for discussion, it would be downtown. And if downtown had a silhouette you could recognize in a blink, it would be Sumter Opera House. From its iconic clock tower to its art-deco leaf that still renders one awestruck, the 133-years-young venue has stood as more than a building in the hustle and bustle of Sumter's Main Street. It has been a landmark, a meeting place, a backdrop for photoshoots and a front-row seat to the city's changing seasons. It has watched this city grow from one generation to the next, holding space in its seats and balconies for those who look to be entertained and encouraged when everything shifts. "It was meant to be a place for entertainment, a place to escape and a place to give people somewhere to go to create memories and experience something different than what their day-to-day life would give them," explained Seth Reimer, cultural manager for City of Sumter. From its inception in 1872, Reimer said, the opera house was designed with the community in mind. In that 1800s era, opera houses doubled as civic anchors, serving as hubs for city meetings and community gatherings by day and offering a stage for heartstopping performances by night. Over time, Sumter's Opera House became recognizable for its exterior as well as its interior. Its iconic 100-foot clock tower served different roles throughout the venue's chapters, from a gathering place for townspeople to learn wartime news to alerting volunteer firefighters. And much like downtown Sumter, the opera house weathered the mid-century drift toward a more leisure-filled, suburban life. There were periods when it was used less, which meant the talk of tearing it down became prevalent. "I'm so grateful that we had several citizens and council members that had the foresight to preserve this beautiful space," Reimer said. That foresight shaped the venue's future. It went on to earn its rightful place on the National Register of Historical Places in 1973, cementing it both nationally and locally among downtown's historic district as well as its legacy for generations to come. It would go dark in 1982 after 46 years in operation as a movie theater. The future of the venue, much like the black paint that covered its art-deco leaf, was dark. That is, until a major renovation in 1984 transformed the space into what we recognize today. It went back to its roots as a meeting place, additional office space for city operations and a place for major announcements. But that spark, that it-factor that made it a hometown landmark, still lived in the hymns, harmonies and riffs of the performers who graced its stage. "We've had Grammy Award winners, we've had Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends on the same stage," Reimer expressed. "We're excited to see where this goes now." "This" being Sumter Opera House's monumental renovation. Today, the sound of hammers hitting nails, saws cutting through wood and the crunching of dirt and dust under steel-toed boots are the harmonies floating into the rafters. This transformation is one that centers on preservation of what makes the opera house well-loved and a modernization that ensures it can serve Sumter for the next century. Kara Grover, theater services coordinator for the opera house, said the renovations are about expanding what the building can do to better fit the needs of entertainment interests of the people. I think the accessibility of the place is going to be transformed. We're getting a whole new building, we get to have elevators that go to the second floor, we'll have an actual lobby space," she shared with excitement. Next door, 19 N. Main St., will serve as the venue's new front of house, bringing improved traffic flow, more bathrooms, a dedicated box office and more room to mix and mingle before dancing and singing the night away. Inside the actual auditorium, sight lines will also be improved with the removal of columns and reconfiguring of box seats, while seating will be updated for comfort and accessibility. But with these changes, Reimer and Grover assured that the soul of the venue will remain intact. The ornate plasterwork will remain, a signature feature of its interior many recognize easily. That includes referencing the work of Navino Nattaloni, the artist who painted the opera house in the 1930s. The renovation team is studying his iconic style and palette to bring back the colors and visual choices that reflect the period, from earth tones to sun rays and floral rays that still appear in the proscenium today. If the experience for guests is taken up a notch, the same goes for backstage.Behind the scenes, there are easily accessible dressing rooms, more convenient means for getting to and from stage than walking outside through an alley, a proper green room and gathering spaces for artists, backstage storage, designated lounge areas for the opera house's loyal volunteers and crew and a new loading dock. The opera house is being designed to work the way a modern performing arts center should while still feeling like the place generations remember. It's that attention to detail, that desire to preserve what was entrusted to them that wakes Reimer and Grover up every morning and keeps them up well into the night. Reimer, who toured with dance companies across New York City before coming to Sumter by way of marriage, entered the role of cultural manager in 2014; back then, the position was part-time. "Shortly after, I realized, you can't do this part-time," he said with laughter. "I think [then-mayor] Joe McElveen had said he always wanted somebody who would wake up every day and think about the Sumpter Opera House and how to make it better than it was. And he got his wish." In that same light, Grover, an accomplished opera singer who has traveled the world, sharing her talents and expertise, found her way to Sumter through marriage, her husband being stationed at Shaw Air Force Base. The charm of the Opera House settled within her, too, almost feeling too good to be true. "I thought, 'This isn't real,'" she said about the job posting. "But after some research and applying, things came to fruition, and I became part of the dream team." For both of them, the opera house has shifted greatly within the past decade, from a rental facility to a more active, curated performing arts center, even with a small staff of four. That growth has meant bringing in acts that are well-loved and also introducing audiences to what they didn't know they were missing. Sometimes, Reimer said, a show may sell 100 tickets. Ideal? Not quite. Not until you see those 100 people leaving with a memory they can't wait to tell their kids about. The experience often surprises newcomers because it feels intimate and intentional. But, perhaps, the most enduring impact is on local students. The ones who are bouncing in their seats, their excitement palpable as the matinee show starts. Grover recalled her first time hearing opera as a student, a moment that sticks among the rest in her mind and altered the direction of her life. That same spark can be seen in local students who might not remember every detail of what they watched, but they remember how it made them feel. Because the beginning of appreciation isn't always applause, but attention. And once you have the attention, that's where wonder begins. Sumter Opera House has lasted this long because the community decided it should. At its Grand Closing Bash in June 2025, the pair, along with team members Tim Langford and Ellen Jansen, experienced a mix of emotions: happiness, sadness, hope. The feeling of the community that has supported the venue for over a century saying goodbye to decades of memories while trying to offer a clear vision forward was surreal, but it was necessary. "The reopening isn't going to be the pinnacle of our existence," Grover said. "It's just the start of a new chapter." "Our why is for the people," Reimer explained. "It's certainly for the building - that's important to preserve this landmark, but the why is for the people and for the kids." The opera house was never only about brick and plaster or a clock tower peeking over trees and a stage for performers of caliber. From its past to its present, it has always been the people who walk through the doors, take the seats and enjoy the show. And when its main stage welcomes audiences again, the Opera House will feel new in form but familiar in spirit, beating to the same song that never stopped playing.
  Occupation	he is employed as a performance manager at Carnegie Hall in New York City  [3, 5]
  Occupation	he is employed as a performance manager at Carnegie Hall in New York City  [3, 5]
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  Last Modified	1 Mar 2026

  
  

  Father	Kevin REIMER
  Mother	SCHOOLEY
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  _UID	7C376EB726504EDA918E66D2115A5DF3881D
  Family ID	F149077	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Living
  Children	1. Living   2. Living
  Family ID	F149076	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	12 Apr 2014

  
  

• Sources

  [S29172] John C. Alford Jr. [S33213] Past is Present, presented by Sumter Museum: Sumter Opera House’s Reimer, Grover talk preserving its soul, preparing for next act. [S10148] Alford-Reimer. [S11094] Saturday Snapshot - Jennifer Alford: Dance Instructor. [S11339] Alford-Reimer. [S11888] Arts reign at 12th Showcase. [S17514] Take ‘A Bite Out of the Big Apple’ - 15th Sumter Arts Showcase a tour of New York. [S20779] City cultural manager sets goals.