Back in the day—nearly a century ago—the OK Theatre in En- terprise was a shining light in eastern Oregon, hosting events both unique and routine. There were plays and musicals at the 350-seat, single-screen theatre and traveling Chautauqua, an adult educa- tion movement in the early 20th century that brought musicians, preachers and academic lecturers to rural America. There also were Sunday matinees, but only after town council members carefully approved them when some residents circulated petitions warning that the shows could interfere with church and baseball games. And there was an even more worrisome challenge: while the OK Theatre’s construction commenced in October 1917, the influenza epidemic that swept across the nation in December 1918 prompted restrictions on public gatherings. Work on the building continued, however, including decorating the walls, finishing the electrical wiring, and bolting chairs to the assembly room floor. By the end of January 1919, the doors were thrown open and the newly born theatre was heralded in the local newspaper, The Chieftain (now known as the Wallowa County Chieftain): “In opening the OK Theatre, we offer to the citizens of Enterprise and Wallowa County a complete modernly equipped comfortable theatre,” the editors wrote. “Artistic landscapes adorn the walls and the lights are decidedly pretty. The management promises that the picture shows will be of as high a quality as the house itself, and the theatre is bound to attract patronage from far and near.” During the last century, however, time, weather and changing recreational pursuits have taken their toll on the once elegant Art Deco building, which in 2012 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of the theatre’s original façade, however, including the tri- partite storefront and entrance, has been modernized. The original lighting canopy was removed and replaced with a more modern marquee. The original doors and windows were replaced and the second story windows were covered. But today still, the old boiler heating, plumbing, electrical and pro- jection systems are in disrepair. The only bathroom, located down- stairs, does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The carpet and stage curtain need to be replaced, and the seats need to be reupholstered. Total renovation costs are estimat- ed at nearly $250,000. None of this dissuaded Darrell Brann, a musician and construc- tion company owner who moved to Wallowa County in 2001 with his wife and family. He bought the OK Theatre in November 2013, intent on creating a premier regional live concert and performing arts venue, thereby combining his construction expertise with his love for music. Brann grew up in a musical family. His father played rhythm guitar and his mother sang and played keyboard in a country band called Lincoln County Express that performed covers by the likes of Patsy Cline and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Brann and his brothers Dale and Craig learned to play acoustic, bass and electric guitar. They also sang in church with their mother. Brann also runs a successful local construction company. Both nat- urally led to his interest in the OK Theatre. “My background has been in buildings and restoration work,” he says. “I was interested in the quality of sound in a little theatre. In 2012, I booked a show in the theatre and I was thinking I would do Breathing new life into Enterprise, Oregon’s historic OKTheatre 6