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OUR MISSION

Historic Fayette Theater exists to enhance our local and regional community by creating opportunities for community engagement in the arts. In this quest, we strive to fulfill the following goals:  

  • Provide an outlet for creative community involvement in the arts

  • Produce quality entertainment for diverse audiences

  • Partner with other entities for broader opportunities

  • Foster an appreciation for the arts in area residents

  • Offer a broad range of theatrical presentations

  • Develop local talent

  • Build an audience who will support theater as an art form

  • Advocate for the arts as a vital part of community life

OUR LEADERSHIP

Historic Fayette Theater, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) organization overseen by an all-volunteer Board of Directors.

Sharon Bibb, Vice-President

Cameron Boggs

Jack Crosier

Shari Davis

Rick Hill

Ashley McGuffin, Treasurer

Asa Miller

Savannah Miller

Paul R. Neil

Robert Neil

Brian Parsons

Timothy Runyon

Cindy White, President

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OUR FACILITY

When it first opened to the public in 1938, our building was a state-of-the-art movie theater and performing arts venue. The first film to be screened was a musical comedy called That Certain Age, starring the audience favorite Deanna Durbin alongside Melvyn Douglas and Jackie Cooper. The original projectors installed in the building remain in the former projection booth to this day.

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After falling into disuse during the 1970s, the theater was purchased by a local businessman, Tom Louisos. In 1992, Louisos partnered with the Fayette County Historical Society to renovate the theater, with leadership provided by Gene Worthington, Karen Vuranch, and Dale Payne. The following year, Foxfire, the first community theater performance by the Fayette Theater troupe, hit the stage. In the years since, more than a hundred productions have taken to the stage featuring hundreds of local actors, singers, dancers, and crew of all ages. Concerts and other community events have also kept the Fayette Theater building ringing with life.

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In 2011, the Historic Fayette Theater group purchased the building from Mr. Louisos and continued renovations and operation of the theater. Since then, hundreds of volunteers have served in various roles at the theater to keep it vibrant and active for locals and visitors.

 

The theater displays artworks by West Virginia artists representing the history and culture of the area and continues to hold a year-round schedule of live performances.

From the pages of the Fayette Tribune

on October 8th, 1937.

 

Work On Theatre Definite


Work on the first modern theatre building Fayetteville has ever had will definitely get underway prior to November 1, weather permitting.  The construction will be completed as rapidly as possible, it was stated this week by C.O. Janutolo, local contractor and builder, who will be the co-owner of the new structure, together with F.G. Janutolo.
The building is to be constructed on the lot adjoining Hawkins Dress Shop here, or almost directly across the street from the present post office.

Announcement that such a building would be built was made by the Janutolos some weeks ago, but at that time it was not known definitely when work would get underway.

The building is to be completely modern in every respect, and of fireproof construction.  Plans indicate it will seat approximately 400 persons, and the very latest in interior and exterior finishing will be employed to make it entirely up-to-date.

The plans indicate that no theatre in the county will be better equipped, and none made more comfortable for the patrons.

In addition to the actual theatre, which will comprise by far the larger part of the building, two small shops are to be constructed in the front, one on each side of the entrance, facing directly on the street.

While no announcement has been made as to who will lease the new structure, it was learned definitely that terms have been agreed upon and the formal announcement is expected within a comparatively short time.

It was also indicated that in providing equipment such as seats, sound system, and other features the lessee is planning an expenditure of approximately $10,000, and will spare no cost in making this equipment conform to the modernity of the building itself.

Fayetteville has never had a modern theatre building.  Believed by many to be an excellent location for a good theatre, still construction has been delayed for one reason or another until this definite move by the Janutolos.

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