7 Stages Receives Restoration Grant From Fox Theatre Institute

The institute was founded in 2008 to assist in the preservation of Georgia’s historic theaters. A statement issued to WABE reads, in part:

Not only does the staff show a commitment to the fine programming, but we were impressed as an organization in their caring for the historic building in an ever changing commercial node. In addition to the staff we were excited to engage with their dynamic board. The grant for 7 Stages showed financial backing from other great Atlanta and regional institutions and we received numerous letters of recommendations from community members who value it not just for performing arts but as an anchor for their community. We congratulate them as stewards of historic preservation in our Atlanta community.

This grant comes as 7 Stages prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary both as an organization and in that space, which was previously a movie theater built in the 1940s.

Funds from the grant have already been used to restore and update the marquee, and future projects include HVAC replacement and replacing and updating lighting fixtures both around the building and in the theater spaces.

“It’s a mixture of some green work that was instigated by the Grants to Green Program through the Community Foundation [of Greater Atlanta],” says managing director Mack Hedrick, “and some cosmetic work as well.”

“It’s really important to us to make Little Five Points a welcoming environment,” says co-artistic director Michael Haverty. “We’re a part of the business association, we’re always trying to improve parking, improve the experience of the plaza. And these funds will help us provide a more engaging and comfortable experience for the patrons. And it will also allow our artists to flourish more with the addition of these lighting instruments. We can really jump forward into the future of things that our designers have been wanting to do for years, and offer them bigger, better opportunities to express themselves.”