Lynchburg Business

Theater in Production: Bringing Lynchburg’s Oldest Theater Back to Life

Issue: August 2010 by Kimberly Feldkamp in Architecture, Engineering & Construction, Inside The Magazine

ACT I

Scene I: corner of Main Street, Lynchburg, Virginia

The building is hard to miss. Whether you’re driving down Main Street or coming into the city from Amherst on Route 29, you can’t help but notice it. Lynchburg’s Academy of Fine Arts is essentially the cornerstone of downtown, a reddish-brick building with white columns that sits right on the corner, at the end of the street. It has character, charm and a real presence here in the city; the building has been around since the early 1900s.

“Back then, it was the place to be,” said Meridith De Avila Khan, Director of Marketing for the Academy. “When the downtown was thriving, residents flocked to the theater to see plays and shows. The building had such grandeur—and we’d like to get it back to that.”

That’s why many city officials, residents and the Academy have not given up on the restoration of the building—a project that began almost a decade ago. Construction on the theater was put on hold because of a merger between the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center and the Academy of Music in August of 2003.

“The mission of the Academy of Music was to restore the theater and get it up and operational,” explained Dorrie Smiley, Director of Sales for the Academy of Fine Arts. “The mission of the 40-year-old Lynchburg Fine Arts Center was to nurture local talent in different art disciplines through productions, galleries and classes. We combined the two, with the mission to do it all.”

Smiley added that by combining the two, there would be a stronger financial and operating base to support the fine arts in the community.

“We have created a new pottery studio, a huge art space. We have classes and camps and productions in our warehouse theater, so we’ve made progress there,” Smiley said. “Now we just need to start on the restoration of the theater.”

To do that, a capital campaign is underway to raise $12.5 million.

“Architects have completed a design and development plan,” Smiley said. “The project could be started within a month or two of getting the money.”

Although public reaction has been positive to this project, Smiley said it’s not the best of economic times right now, and it’s been tough to get a secure source of funding. She said there are some good irons in the fire, but nothing is definite yet.

“This space is such a treasure. If people could just step inside, they could see the potential of what this could be.”

ACT II

Scene: Inside the historic theater, downtown Lynchburg

“This theater is the best kept secret in town,” De Avila Khan said, as she unlocked the door.

When you do step inside, you are instantly taken back in time. The original theater was built in 1905, destroyed by fire in 1911 and then rebuilt in 1913. Much of what you see today—antique theater seats, some broken, most covered in dust; the faint black and grey tiny floor files, shaped into vibrant patterns; the detailed molds that line the theater walls, outlining the balcony layers; the faded reds and blues and other muted hues of the crumbling walls—are all the real, original deal, dating back to 1913.

The theater was converted to a movie theater for a few years, before closing its doors in 1958. It hasn’t been opened for performances since.

As expected, there is much natural decay in this building and contractors have already torn into some of the walls to check the architectural integrity of the building. Anyone can see it needs a lot of work, but standing on the stage, looking out into the audience, you quickly see the vision of this restoration and can only think of what this theater could be.

Most who’ve seen it can’t help but be impressed with the building. It boasts great acoustics and perfect sight lines. It’s large enough to feel stately and glamorous, but not so large that spectators can’t enjoy an intimate performance. When completed, the theater will be able to seat around 900 people, just like it did decades ago. Standing inside, it’s easy to imagine what it would have been like decades ago, to dress up and go to the theater to watch Will Rodgers or George M. Cohan take the stage here (and they did, among many others).

The plan is for the theater to be historically restored, which means the Academy will receive historic tax credits on a state and federal level. Because the current theater does not have restrooms, any concessions or a large lobby space, those will be added in a building adjacent to the theater, and connected by a modern walkway. The walkway will also connect the current galleries, offices and open spaces to the theater.

In 1993, a windstorm destroyed the original fly tower, so a new one was recently rebuilt. It, along with the stage, is built to modern specifications and will allow for larger productions to come to town.

ACT III

Scene: a vibrant, thriving theater and downtown district, Lynchburg

“This theater is a huge part of the downtown revitalization, and would mean a lot for tourism here in town,” De Avila Khan said.

“There’s a huge need for this theater,” Smiley said. “I think the decision to merge and keep the facility downtown was the correct decision. Downtown is becoming quite the cultural district, and I think this can really help make downtown a destination.”

Smiley said she believes the community is aware of what kind of opportunity this can be to put Lynchburg on the map, and really help with the economic development of the area.

“We’re anxious to get going on this. I know the capital campaign committee is working diligently to pull the funds together. Hopefully, we can get started on this soon,” she said.

There are already productions in the warehouse theater, and Smiley said that space is also used for wedding receptions and other fundraisers. When the theater is finally completed, it will probably be used for rehearsal space. Today there are also theater and art camps at the Academy, along with art and pottery classes and even different gallery exhibits and shows opening every month.

“It’s difficult to say when the theater will finally be done and this whole project will be complete,” Smiley said. “But we can’t wait for that day to get here.”