Thanks to new leadership and community support, there's new life at a theatre in South Utica.

Classes and performances are taking place at the Uptown Theatre, as work to restore and update the building continues.

The lobby area will be complete by the end of the year. After that, the focus will be on the main theater.

A nonprofit is behind the work, with hopes to restore the theatre and offer entertainment-arts education and diverse programming. Things are moving quickly.

"Throughout the last eight months since we've gotten the keys, we started out taking over the old jewelry store space in one of our storefronts which is now a classroom and workshop space, a small theater where we're putting on shows," said Devin Mahoney. He cofounded UTCA, which is behind the efforts.

Click here for a look at what classes are coming up at the theatre.