Several major contributions, including a grant from the 3M Foundation that could be worth as much as $75,000, have been received recently for the restoration of the historic Lyric Theatre.
But fund-raising efforts continue as work on the facility’s interior continues by contractor Waldrop Construction Co. of Brownwood. Lyric board members have set a goal for having the project complete, and the theater open to the public, in time to celebrate the facility’s centennial in 2014.
The 3M grant, which was presented to Lyric board members last Monday by Brownwood 3M Plant Manager Mike Tittle, is the most recent in a series of gifts from local sources that total more than $600,000. That amount includes $5,000 from the Woodruff Foundation of Brownwood.
Other contributions have been received from supporters in Abilene, including $100,000 from Tejon Energy, and $100,000 from the Dian Graves Owen Foundation.
The 3M grant includes not only $25,000 in cash, but also up to $50,000 in 3M product.
“We are very appreciative of the enthusiastic support we have received in recent periods from members of the community and look forward to other supporters coming forward with contributions that will facilitate our achieving the goal of reopening the theatre concurrent with its centennial anniversary,” said Deb and Dub Wilson, co-chairs of the board.
Lyric officials said as much as $800,000 in additional donations will be needed to restore and professionally equip the theater to the level board members and supporters anticipate.
While fund-raising for the theater’s restoration has been under way in recent years, the Lyric Performing Arts Company has been producing major musicals and dramas along with children’s theater camps in other venues, including those at Brownwood High School and Howard Payne University. This year’s major offerings were “The Wizard of Oz” in July and the annual performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” this past Thursday.
The reopening of the Lyric next year will provide a “home” for LPAC productions, and will give the community a new location for a variety of other shows, productions and meetings not sponsored by the company. It is also expected to be a major draw for tourists to the downtown area, where they will also find shopping and dining opportunities.
Including the balcony, the restored Lyric Theatre will seat 364 people.
The Lyric Theatre, located at 318 Center Ave. in the heart of the downtown business district, officially opened its doors Sept. 18, 1914. For a city the size of Brownwood, it was a large facility and became popular with theatrical troupes and performers from all over the nation and the world. Its offerings included traveling stock companies, dramatizations of famous novels, hypnotists, ballroom dancing, novelty musical numbers, vaudeville comedy acts, dramas, performances by the Lyric Orchestra, and major motion pictures.
Early in the 20th century, the Lyric evolved into a movie house. The Lyric continued to serve the area as a movie theater until 1959, when it was closed. From 1963 until 2003, the building was home to an upscale clothing shop.
Additional information about the Lyric Theatre and the Lyric Performing Arts Company, including ways to donate to the restoration project, is available online at www.brownwoodlyrictheatre.com. Information is also available from Lyric Managing Director Eric Evans at (325) 998-2801.
Pictured at top – Mike Tittle, right, manager of the 3M Corp. plant in Brownwood, presented a check for $25,000 to members of the board of the Lyric Performing Arts Company. Pictured from left to right are Eric Evans, Deb and Dub Wilson, and Bill King. The grant to the Lyric also includes up to $50,000 in 3M construction materials. Restoration of the historic downtown Brownwood theater continues with a goal of reopening it to the public in time for its centennial in 2014.
