Last Updated on October 7, 2019 8:54 am
BOONE, NC – The leadership team at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) announced today that the final phase of construction has been completed and that the newly-renovated 1938 landmark will begin operations this month. The first performance will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019 when John McEuen, founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will be joined by his current band, The String Wizards, for a concert titled, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”
“The name of that event is fortuitous since we’ve now come full circle with this project,” said John Cooper, chair of the theatre’s board of trustees. “What began as the ‘Save The Appalachian Theatre’ task force in December 2011 has grown to involve over 500 volunteers and thousands of community stakeholders, all of whom have given generously of their time, talent, and resources to make this dream become a reality.”
Laura Kratt, Executive Director of the ATHC, has programmed a diverse slate of offerings for the opening weeks of the theatre, designed to show off the venue and its many production capabilities. “While staying true to the original purpose as a movie theatre, we’re showcasing regional and national artists.” In addition to John McEuen, the October schedule includes the Halloween film “Hocus Pocus” on October 25 and 26.
In an effort to thank the community for their continued support, several free events have been programmed during the opening weeks. This Friday, October 4, marks the beginning of a
Also free of charge is a performance by the popular U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors, a 19- piece ensemble that is the official touring band of the United States Army. They will perform a Big Band concert for the general public on Thursday, October 17.
Additional programming will be announced at least twice each month and will include both community-based events and outside rentals, such as the Appalachian Opera Theatre performing “Die Fledermaus” on November 8 and 10, and the Carolina Snowbelles on December 13 and 14. Kratt said members of the theatre’s e-mailing list will be the first persons notified once programs are announced and go on sale.
Tickets to the general public for the first month’s events are only available online at www.apptheatre.org beginning Monday, October 7. For information about phone ticket orders and in person sales, call (828) 865-3000. Note that the theatre’s onsite box office hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and one hour prior to each curtain. The Appalachian Theatre is located at 559 West King Street in uptown Boone, NC next to the Boone Town Hall.
Kratt said that “visitors to the theatre will see many of the Art Deco features from the 1938 design replicated in all their glory, including the historic façade and original marquee, the signature striping on the vaulted ceiling in the audience chamber, the side panels on the interior walls, the end plates on each row of seats, the pattern of the carpeting, the metallic ceiling tiles in the lobby, etc.”
In addition, Kratt noted that four of the six wall Art Deco lighting sconces from the 1950 post-fire renovation have been located, carefully-restored, and installed in their original locations. The theatre is asking for assistance from the general public to find the remaining two sconces.
The expanded lobby now includes areas that were formerly occupied by the Appalachian Soda Shop, the Dacus Radio Shop, and Lillian Mae Beauty Shop. These spaces have been combined and repurposed with audience comfort in mind to include new, larger restroom facilities, multiple concession stands, convenient elevator access, and a box office and patron services area.
A spacious, 1700 square foot community room has been added to the theatre in the area above the lobby which once housed several doctor’s offices, exam rooms, and a rental apartment. Kratt says the demand for this space is high as it can accommodate receptions, smaller performing arts events, film screenings, and lectures, meetings for groups of 150 or more, and sit down dinners for approximately 90 guests. It can be accessed separately from the main theatre, providing for concurrent events where practicable.
The key feature in the Community Room is a series of historically-inspired mural friezes by internationally-known artist Brenda Mauney Councill. She specializes in large-scale murals and noted that her designs for the community room are, “consistent with the thematic period-styles identified as Art Deco and Moderne.”
Audience capacity in the theatre has been reduced from its original 999 seats to 620, with improved sight lines, wider seats, cushioned chairs, more legroom between each row, and staggered placement of rows so that patrons look between those located in front of them. Behind the scenes, artists will enjoy an expanded stage area, ample dressing rooms, loading-dock and assembly room, service elevator, orchestra pit, and technical production booth from which the state-of-the art lighting, sound, and projection systems will be operated.
In explaining the Appalachian Theatre’s importance to this community, Cooper said, “It preserves one of the most historic and iconic structures in the High Country and provides a vitally-important stage for so many talented folks who live here, and audience members young and old alike. The theatre benefits all of us by providing a performance venue for many forms of entertainment, including film and lectures. The Appalachian is a venue to attract nationally-known talent, create jobs, revitalize Boone’s downtown district, and serve as a significant economic driver for the region.”
The Theatre, which has changed hands several times since it opened in 1938, was acquired in 2013 by a non-profit entity, the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC), with the intention of restoring the theatre to its original glory days. Now complete, the facility can accommodate hundreds of attractions each season, including live music, theater, opera, film, and community activities. These events will result in increased visits to the region with many of these visitors staying in the area overnight, enjoying restaurant meals and shopping in the various retail establishments located in the High Country.
Kratt emphasized that the capital campaign continues in order to reach the final fundraising goal and to create both operating and programming funds. A “Take-A-Seat” effort is underway to outfit and furnish the venue for optimum comfort with donor recognition given to each participant.
Reflecting on his idea from nearly a decade ago to acquire and renovate the venerable theatre, Cooper said, “Foremost among the many emotions I’m feeling are a sense of gratitude, a feeling of civic pride, and heartfelt appreciation to the countless individuals, organizations, board members, elected officials, town and county staff, businesses, corporations, foundations, contractors, and vendors who have made this theatre their own personal project. Everyone should take pride in what we’ve accomplished together.
To learn more about the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, sign up for their mailing list, participate in their “Take-A-Seat” campaign, or to contribute to the annual fund, visit their website at www.apptheatre.org.
