Fort Valley Theater Needs Funds to Stay Open

A local theater in Fort Valley can’t host the amount of performances it would like.

Volunteers are trying to raise enough just to pay for utility costs, but they’re struggling to make ends meet and leaving performers with no choice but to practice in a non-heated building.

The Austin Theater is a place where you can listen to the community choir, watch a children’s play or support Fort Valley University’s student recitals. 
But if it can’t find the funds to stay open, the show may not go on.

“The utilities are tremendous and we don’t bring in the amount of money that it takes to pay the utilities. Some months our utilities are $2800,” said House Manager Beth Cleveland.

However utility costs aren’t the only issue. The historic building needs maintenance and repairs according to volunteer Tiger Smith.

“We went around and were changing lightbulbs all through the building because they tend to burn out and there’s just nobody hired on site because we can’t afford to take care of those type of things.”

The theater is the only place in town that offers various plays and performances. It’s an asset that the community does not want to lose.

“It’s the only place really that we have where any community group that can come here and use the building or that we can house community plays or community concerts,” said Cleveland.

To see a calendar of events for the Austin Theater or make a donation, visit theaustintheater.net