Keith-Albee Theatre to be reborn

Historic Theater now operating as the
Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center Inc.

Robert Plymale and attorney David Tyson have announced the formation of a new nonprofit organization as owner and operator of the Keith-Albee Theatre on Fourth Avenue in downtown Huntington. "The Keith-Albee Theatre is a rare and beautiful jewel," Plymale said. "As members of this community we cannot sit idly in the background. We must work to preserve this cultural treasure of West Virginia and the Tri-State area. Our commitment to preserving the Keith-Albee is therefore undeniable."

Plymale and Tyson will serve as co-presidents on the new organization's board of directors. Charles Neighborgall will act as vice president, attorney Doug Reynolds as treasurer, Rebecca Melton Craig as secretary, and Robert Simmons as financial advisor. In addition to these officers, Penny Watkins will serve on the executive board, Beth McVey as coordinator of outreach and arts education, William Heaberlin as technical advisor, and Dr. Robert Edmunds for community services.

The historic theater was gifted over to the Marshall University Foundation Inc. in January 2006 by the Hyman family, who owned and managed the theater for almost 80 years. The MU Foundation has gifted the Keith-Albee Theatre to the newly formed nonprofit organization so that it can be managed and maintained independently.

Derek Hyman, who serves on the board of the new organization, said, "My grandfather built the Keith-Albee and it is part of our family history. This is why I am involved in the process. Now that the movie theater is closed I would love to see it made into a performing arts center. I will do everything I can to facilitate that process."

The board of directors is making arrangements with Sachs Morgan Studio in New York, N.Y., to complete a feasibility study for the new organization. Sachs Morgan specializes in theater planning and design with services ranging from architectural planning to space programming and theater drapery. The studio has contributed to restorations and renovations of theater spaces around the country. They will recommend a template for operations in the new Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. The proposal from Sachs Morgan includes an architectural program along with cost estimates for theater renovation and programming.

Although a timeline of renovation efforts will not be available until the feasibility study is complete, the board of directors is making plans to remove the two mini-theaters and return the main auditorium to its original size. They hope this first step can be complete by the end of summer. The Southwestern District Labor Council has agreed to take down these partition walls at no cost to the Performing Arts Center. In addition, the city of Huntington will donate their services to remove the debris and garbage associated with this renovation.

The Marshall Artists Series will continue to present a wide variety of performers at the Keith-Albee for their 2006-2007 season. For more information on the Artists Series, call (304) 696-6656 or visit their website at www.marshallartistsseries.org.

Leases will be continued for the business tenants of the Keith-Albee Theatre. Autism Services Center, Sarka-Kauffmann Jewelers, and The Old Village Roaster have rented office and retail space from the previous owners of the building.

The website for the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Inc. can be viewed at
www.keithalbeearts.org. Anyone interested in renting the theater for an event should contact them by phone at (304) 696-3529.