Elliot Kim
Sight & Sound Theatres is a family-owned entertainment company that produces Bible stories for the stage, founded in 1976 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman. The company operates two theatres, one in Ronks, Pennsylvania, and the other in Branson, Missouri, and has expanded into online streaming and film production. In 2011, Matt Neff and Josh Enck, sons-in-law of Glenn Eshelman, became co-presidents of the company, with Neff later taking on the role of CEO and Enck becoming president and chief creative officer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Glenn and Shirley Eshelman |
| Current Owners | Matt Neff and Josh Enck, sons-in-law of Glenn Eshelman |
| Number of Theaters | 2 |
| Number of Employees | 800+ |
| Theater Locations | Ronks, Pennsylvania; Branson, Missouri |
| Headquarters | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania |
| Productions | Noah, Behold the Lamb, I Heard the Bells |
| Production Type | Bible stories live on stage |
| Production Features | Live actors, panoramic stage, sets up to 40 feet high, animals on stage |
| Online Platform | Sight & Sound TV |
| Film Studio | Sight & Sound Films |
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Current ownership
Sight & Sound Theatres was founded in 1976 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman and remains a family-owned business. Glenn Eshelman is the founder and owner of Sight & Sound Theatres. In 2011, Matt Neff and Josh Enck, sons-in-law of Glenn Eshelman, became the company's co-presidents. Neff and Enck started their careers at Sight & Sound Theatres as stage technicians. In 2015, Neff became the chief executive officer, and Enck was named president and chief creative officer.
In 2022, Sight & Sound announced that they would be expanding into filmmaking through a production company named Sight & Sound Films. Their first film, "I Heard the Bells", was released in December 2022 in partnership with Fathom Events. The film was a success, grossing $5.6 million in box office sales and ranking #2 in movie theatres nationwide. This expansion into filmmaking can be seen as part of the company's transition to second-generation leadership, which began with the promotions of Neff and Enck.
The transition to second-generation leadership was guided by the local consulting firm, the North Group, with the process starting in 2007. This transition was planned well in advance and was handled discreetly, with Neff and Enck crediting the North Group for a seamless transition. As part of this process, Roger North, who had acted as Sight & Sound's chief operating officer, stepped down. Additionally, Glenn Eshelman resigned as chairman and president in 2011 after admitting he had made "choices inconsistent with the values" of the company.
The current leadership of Neff and Enck has resulted in a period of success for Sight & Sound Theatres, with a focus on what they call "mission and margin". This involves bringing Bible stories to life on stage while also maintaining adequate profit margins to ensure the financial health of the company. This strategy has resulted in increased ticket sales and revenue, contributing to the company's growth and expansion into new locations.
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Founding
Sight & Sound Theatres is an entertainment company that produces Bible stories live on stage. It was founded in 1976 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman and remains a family-owned business.
Based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the company operates two theatres: one in Ronks, Pennsylvania (formerly known as the Millennium Theatre), and the second in Branson, Missouri. The original Sight & Sound Auditorium, which opened in 1976, was renamed the Living Waters Theatre. Live actors and actresses were eventually added to the productions, and Behold the Lamb debuted as the first full-length live stage production in 1987.
In March 1991, a larger facility, the Sight & Sound Entertainment Centre, opened its doors. However, after the success of their productions, including Noah, the Entertainment Centre caught fire in January 1997, destroying the facility and most of the costumes and sets. The Living Waters Theatre was renovated to accommodate live stage productions until another large theatre, originally called The Millennium Theater, was opened on September 1, 1998. This new theatre featured more than 2,000 seats and a 300-foot wraparound stage.
In 2008, Sight & Sound expanded and opened a second theatre in Branson, Missouri, a near-identical twin facility to the newest facility in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This expansion marked the beginning of the company's transition to second-generation leadership, with Matt Neff and Josh Enck, sons-in-law of Glenn Eshelman, becoming co-presidents in 2011. In 2015, Neff became the chief executive officer, and Enck was named president and chief creative officer.
Sight & Sound has continued to evolve, launching Sight & Sound TV and Sight & Sound Films, with their first feature film, I Heard the Bells, released in December 2022. The company remains committed to its mission of bringing Bible stories to life on stage and screen, reaching audiences worldwide.
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Leadership transition
Sight & Sound Theatres is a family-owned entertainment company that produces Bible stories for the stage, based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1976 by husband and wife duo Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, who were inspired by Jesus's words in Matthew 13:10-23 regarding parables.
In 2011, Glenn Eshelman resigned as chairman and president after admitting to making "choices inconsistent with the values" of the company. At this time, Matt Neff and Josh Enck, sons-in-law of Glenn Eshelman, became the company's co-presidents. Neff and Enck started their careers at Sight & Sound Theatres as stage technicians. In 2015, Neff became the chief executive officer, and Enck was named president and chief creative officer. This marked the completion of the company's transition to second-generation leadership.
The transition process began in 2007, as the company was in the midst of expanding into the Midwest with a new theater in Branson, Missouri. Neff and Enck credit the local consulting firm, the North Group, for guiding the company through this period of change and developing the next-generation leadership team. The process was planned and executed in a low-key manner, with Neff commenting that their long-term goal was to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Under the leadership of Neff and Enck, Sight & Sound Theatres has experienced significant success and growth. The company has focused on what they call "mission and margin," emphasizing fresh, high-quality productions while maintaining adequate profit margins. This strategy has resulted in increased ticket sales, revenue, and three of the strongest years in the company's history.
In addition to their live theater locations, Sight & Sound has expanded into new areas, including an online streaming platform and a feature film studio. In 2022, the company announced its expansion into filmmaking through Sight & Sound Films, with its first film, "I Heard the Bells," released in December of that year. This expansion into filmmaking marks a new direction for the company as it continues to bring Bible stories to life for audiences worldwide.
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Theatre locations
Sight & Sound Theatres operates two theatres in the United States, with the company's flagship location in Ronks, Pennsylvania, and a second theatre in Branson, Missouri. The Pennsylvania theatre, formerly known as the Millennium Theatre, was opened in 1998 and features a 2,000-seat auditorium, a 300-foot panoramic stage, and the ability to house sets four stories tall. The Missouri theatre opened in 2008 and is a near-identical twin facility to the Pennsylvania location.
The company was founded in 1976 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, who began by taking their multimedia presentations on the road before opening their first permanent location, the Living Waters Theatre, in Ronks, Pennsylvania, in 1976. Over time, they added live theatrical elements to their shows, and in 1991 they opened a larger facility, the Entertainment Centre, which unfortunately burned down in 1997. After the fire, the Living Waters Theatre was renovated to accommodate live stage productions until the new Millennium Theatre could be built.
The Missouri theatre marked the company's expansion into new locations and was the result of a vision by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman to grow beyond their original location. The site was chosen for its beautiful setting in the Ozark Mountains. The Missouri theatre is a nearly identical twin facility to the newest facility in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the company creates all of its own set work in a shop in the back of the theatre complex.
The Strasburg-based company is now led by Matt Neff and Josh Enck, sons-in-law of Glenn Eshelman, who became co-presidents in 2011. In 2015, Neff became the chief executive officer, and Enck was named president and chief creative officer.
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Productions
The first full-length live stage production at the original Sight & Sound Auditorium in 1987 was titled 'Behold the Lamb'. The show's success led to the opening of a larger facility, the Sight & Sound Entertainment Centre, in March 1991. The Centre's productions included ''Noah' and 'The Miracle of Christmas'. After a fire in January 1997 that destroyed the facility and most of the costumes and sets, the Living Waters Theatre was renovated to accommodate live stage productions.
In September 1998, a new theatre opened, featuring more than 2,000 seats, a 300-foot wraparound stage that can hold sets up to 40 feet high, and improved audio and visual effects. The current production of 'Noah' lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes and features live animals and spectacular special effects.
In 2008, a second theatre was opened in Branson, Missouri, with identical features to the Lancaster County theatre. The company creates all its own set work in a shop in the back of the theatre complex.
In 2020, Sight & Sound TV, an associated streaming service, was launched, offering filmed versions of past productions for online viewing. In 2022, the company expanded into filmmaking with its production company, Sight & Sound Films. Their first film, 'I Heard the Bells', was released in December 2022 in partnership with Fathom Events. The film was based on the life of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his poem "Christmas Bells", which became the Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". The film exceeded expectations, resulting in $5.6 million in box office sales and a #2 ranking in movie theatres nationwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The founder and owner of Sight & Sound Theatres is Glenn Eshelman.
Glenn Eshelman grew up on a dairy farm in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was inspired by the beauty of the world around him to begin painting landscapes as a boy. As he grew up, he continued to pursue his artistic interests, eventually buying a camera to take reference photos for his paintings.
Matt Neff and Josh Enck, sons-in-law of Glenn Eshelman, became the company's co-presidents in 2011. In 2015, Neff became the chief executive officer and Enck was named the president and continued to be the chief creative officer.
Yes, Sight & Sound Theatres is a family-owned business founded by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman.
Sight & Sound Theatres was founded in 1976.
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