Last Updated on February 24, 2022 8:14 am
BOONE, NC – The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) announced todaythat their decade long capital campaign had reached its ten million dollar goal as ofDecember 31, 2021. ATHC chair Keith Martin shared the welcome news at the Februarymeeting of the board of trustees, and cited accelerated pre-payment of multi-year pledgesand generous new gifts as primary reasons why the goal was attained. While a fewpledge commitments are still outstanding, and several capital needs still exist to be met,Martin said that the record amount of campaign contributions received in the last fiscalquarter of the calendar year, including a major anonymous gift, put the effort over the top.
“To hit this benchmark during a worldwide pandemic is, quite simply, remarkable,” Martinnoted, “and we are so incredibly grateful for the extraordinary generosity of High Countryresidents and visitors who value the performing arts, as demonstrated through themeticulous restoration and complete renovation of this venerable historic theatre.”
John Cooper, founding board chair and head of the capital campaign for over a decade,said that both trustees and the general public should take pride in the fact that the projecthas been completed and all related costs paid in full. “We promised our stakeholders thatour construction bridge loan would be collateralized only with cash in hand, signedpledges, corporate gifts, foundation grants, and reliable, renewable contributions fromknown sources, both public and private. Today, we are very proud to have fulfilled thatpromise.”
“This is a model partnership, one about which First Horizon Bank is honored to haveplayed a supporting role,” said Market President Jason Triplett, whose financial institutionprovided the backing to help the theatre meet its construction obligations, in addition tothe bank’s own generous contributions to the campaign. “It doesn’t surprise me that theyhave paid off the bridge loan years ahead of schedule, given the quality of leadership, thepassion of their dedicated volunteers, and a strong commitment from almost every sectorof our vibrant community. Bravo!”
Board treasurer Brady Combs tempered the news with a reminder that the theatre hasexperienced operating losses during the three years since its reopening in October 2019,primarily due to the ongoing pandemic. “We look forward to ensuring the organization’scontinued fiscal responsibility and financial health through stabilization plans we didn’tdream could be shouldered for many years.”
Executive Director Laura Kratt echoed Combs, and added that the theatre was hit hardby the extended pandemic-related closure, occurring just five months after the muchanticipatedreopening. This fact, combined with severe winter weather, caused thepostponement or cancellation of several scheduled events. “We’re still here!” said Kratt.“Together, we rebuilt and reopened this landmark theatre. Now that the capital campaignis completed, the real work begins: to make this historic venue sustainable from anoperational standpoint.”
Trustees applauded the accomplishment, which Martin noted aligned perfectly with themission of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, “to revitalize and sustain thishistoric community touchstone as a quality home for diverse artists and audiences with aspecial focus on programs that celebrate our distinctive Appalachian heritage andenhance our capacity to serve as an economic catalyst for Boone and the High Country.”
Once a gorgeous 999-seat Art Deco movie house, the building closed in 2007 and satempty and gutted for years. On October 14, 2019, the Appalachian Theatre reopened itsdoors after a $10 million renovation that brought the distinctive Art Deco details back tothis historic theatre and created a new 629-seat, state-of-the-art, acoustically pristinevenue for live concerts, films, plays, and dance performances. The historic AppalachianTheatre has entertained regional audiences in the heart of downtown Boone, NorthCarolina since 1938.
For more information about the theatre, or to join the their eblast list, get tickets, orpurchase memberships, please visit the ATHC website at www.apptheatre.org.
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