Hi Everyone,
I have a few questions, but here’s a little bit of setup information.

First, I’m involved (set construction, lights, program design, advertising, and grunt work) with a local community theater group (non-profit) that has 2 dinner theater shows per year. We have the shows at a local motel/convention center and each show is always sold out for the four nights. The rooms that we have the shows in are not the best places to put on a show, low ceilings, no stage, not enough room, etc.

Second, I have an opportunity to purchase an old film movie theater that was opened in 1950 which has not been used since 1994. When the theater was originally constructed it had (1) screen and a stage but in the 80’s the theater was partitioned to house (3) movie screens. The theater has approximately 6000 sf of sloping floor, a 2000 sf lobby, and a 2000 sf basement, with 3 rented apartments above the lobby. The interior walls are covered with carpet and the ceiling has fiberglass tiles in need of repair. The exterior requires some work but the original large marquee is still in tact and functional. All the seats and movie projection equipment has been removed. Overall the building is in poor to average condition, part of the original stage is still intact but the movie screens are in good condition. The theater is in a great location on main street in the center of our community. It could be the focal point of main street.

Third, our community is not very large (11,000 people), but our community is the economic base for our county with a population of around 75,000 people. We have two theaters in our small city, one at the high school and one at a local college. Neither of the theaters is used for any community events other than high school or college activities. One other community 13 miles away has a theater, which is used for local community events including one play, a couple of choral shows, and a few professional shows each year. We also have an 8-screen movie theater located in our city.

The local theater group I’m involved in is not interested in purchasing the old theater, but they are interested in performing their shows in the theater. I feel there is a need in our community for theater as evident to the amount of people that come to our shows. Also, we don’t have a children’s theater, or anything dealing with the education of the performing arts other than at the high school.

Now here’s the question(s). Which would be the best way to purchase and refurbish the building, non-profit or for profit. What type of grants is available for the purchasing, refurbishing, and operating capital for the theater? Are the grants for only non-profit or are there grants available for for-profit theaters. Does the theater qualify as an historical site, to utilize refurbishing grants? Should I make the building performing arts only or keep one or more of the screens and play $1 or $2 old movies. What other types of shows or items can be added to create a theater that financially can pay its bills. Does anyone have a software program or spreadsheet I could use to build my business plan? Is there any interesting web sites, which I could utilize for research?

If anyone has any suggestions or is willing to discuss with me the best way to utilize this theater please contact me at upnorth@ainop.com, or if you are willing give me your telephone number and I’ll give you a call.

Thank you for your help,

Brian

Look at www.everetttheatre.org. Their group did a similar restoration but on a much older building. BeckyeJo, their program director, can probably give you some relevant information.