About | The Heart Theater

Our History

It all began in 1937, when newspapers announced exciting plans from the Frisina Theater Company. What was once the Hightower Garage on Jefferson Street was about to be transformed into something extraordinary.

Dominic Frisina, a Sicilian immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1904, built one of the Midwest's largest independent theatre circuits, eventually owning or operating 77 theatres throughout Illinois. His vision for bringing entertainment to small communities laid the foundation for theatres like The Heart, leaving a lasting legacy in central Illinois.

In September 1938, the Frisina Theatre Company announced plans to build a new, modern theatre on the south side of the courthouse square after purchasing the Hightower Garage property more than a year earlier. The new theatre would expand entertainment options in Effingham and help meet the growing demand for first-run motion pictures.

By July 1939, plans for Effingham’s new theatre had advanced toward construction. Designed by Springfield architect Carl T. Meyer, built by Taylorville contractor Roy M. Kennedy, and with interiors by C.A. Dawson of Mattoon, the new 850-seat Heart Theatre was set to open in 1940 as a premier entertainment destination for the community.

The Heart Theatre officially opened in January 1940 as Effingham's second movie theater, welcoming guests with the premiere of His Girl Friday starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. Designed as a modern entertainment destination, the 750-seat theater featured plush seating, elegant Art Deco-inspired details, and quickly became a centerpiece of downtown Effingham.

Meet the Board

Like all nonprofits, The Heart Theatre, Inc. is led by a volunteer team of people who serve on the Board of Directors. Learn more about them here.

Member at Large

Chase Cooley

Chase is a graduate from SIU College of Engineering and SIU Law School. He currently works as a patent examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office where his background of law and engineering synthesize to aid him in analyzing and processing patent applications in the autonomous vehicle space. When not examining patents, Chase works on renovation projects and community outreach giving him additional skills that will be beneficial to the restoration of the Heart Theatre.

While he was only able to view a single showing at the Heart Theatre before it closed, his love for film, renovation, and Effingham’s downtown fuels his excitement to bring the Heart Theatre back for future generations to enjoy. He looks forward to utilizing his understanding of law, engineering, and construction to reestablish The Heart as a gem of the city.

Member at Large

Laura Polarek Didier

Recently retired as an outreach librarian and returned to her hometown after 40 years, Laura's connection to the Heart Theatre goes back to the 1970’s where she found her first job. When she’s not advocating for the restoration of the Heart Theatre to ensure it remains a cultural hub for all, you will find her performing storytimes and puppet shows, coordinating book sales at the Effingham Library, volunteering in her parish ministries or creating keepsake quilts.

Member at Large

Monique Hortenstine

Monique is a founding member of Three Chicks & a Stage Theatre Company, directing and/or producing each of their shows in multiple venues. She has taught theatre in community camps, schools, churches, libraries and various community organizations, with a focus on charitable works and inclusive access for all.

Treasurer

Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson is a CPA and Tax Manager at Sikich based in Springfield, IL. He also is a lover of history and executive director for the Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society. Professionally and personally he has expertise in fundraising, charitable gift planning, donor relations and board training.

Member at Large

Marlyn Koester

Digital Marketer. Passionate about spaghetti, traveling, and connecting brands with their audiences.

Marlyn is also a graduate of EIU, a marketing, finance and business specialist who has also volunteered as a speech and drama coach for Charleston High School.

Member at Large

Carrie Rodman

A lifelong resident of Effingham, Carrie has been very involved in our community in many ways by serving on several local boards: HSHS St. Anthony Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Effingham City Zoning Board of Appeals, Effingham Blessings In A Backpack, and the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. She has worked at Tuscan Hills Winery for seven years refining her skills in customer service, office/staff/kitchen management, social media and website marketing, as well as supervising hundreds of

events over the years.

Member at Large

Sara Ruding

Sara is an HR professional with 10 years of experience. She also has served as a board member for the Effingham CORE Academy and the Fine Arts County of Effingham (FACE.) She looks forward to the area offering even more fun, creative and artistic opportunities for people of all ages.

Member at Large

Kenneth Thies

Kenny's passion for the big screen is backed by more than 25 years of movie theater experience and a certification as an NEC digital projection technician. Coupled with 30 years in the IT sector, his skills will be invaluable in building a thriving and technologically sound community theatre for all to enjoy.

President

Amy Van Bergen

Amy was born in Effingham and purchased The Heart Theatre in 2022 and donated the property in 2024 to the nonprofit. A resident of Florida now, she is a retired nonprofit professional with 30+ years experience, predominantly working with individuals with disabilities and their families.

Vice President

Brett Ward

Brett is an IT professional with 17 years' experience and is employed by Heartland Dental. He has also served on the board of the Effingham Child Development Center and EHS Band Boosters. Brett looks forward to bringing more artistic opportunities to the community and revitalizing The Heart.

Secretary

Nicole Wear-Maloney

Nicole has been an educator with ECSD Unit #40 for over 30 years, serving as a kindergarten teacher, interventionist, and physical education teacher at the Early Learning Center. She has the rare distinction of participating in a photo shoot on top of the Heart marquee for the Effingham Daily News. She fondly recalls attending movies at The Heart Theatre over the years; she looks forward to the day when families can once again attend events at The Heart.

THE HEART THEATRE RETURNS: OUR STORY

Reviving The Heart Behind the Scenes

Over the years, several of us have visited The Heart and thought back fondly on our "first movie" there as a child or prom photos atop the marquee.

Thanks to the protective efforts of past owner Tad Sligar over the past decade and with the interest of many others, we are breathing new life into The Heart...and the entire community.

We believe that together, as a community, we are all better and can make a restored, beautiful Heart venue something for us all to be proud of and enjoy.

Amy Van Bergen purchased the property from Sligar in 2022, conducted marketing and feasibility studies in 2023 as well as had the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In December 2024, she donated it into the nonprofit The Heart Theatre, Inc. which will oversee the renovations and operations for The Heart. We are grateful to these board leaders who will ensure the doors will open again for the entire community to enjoy!