LA GRANGE – Fayette County Community Theatre (FCCT) has been awarded a $10,000 grant through Fayette Electric Cooperative's Community Reinvestment Grant Program to support renovation of the historic Von Rosenberg Building in downtown La Grange, helping transform the structure into a permanent home for community theater, arts education, entertainment and cultural programming.
The FCCT project will renovate the historic building at 253 W. Travis St. in La Grange into a fully accessible community theater featuring audience seating, a lobby and concession area, ticketing space, dressing rooms, backstage support areas, storage and modern theatrical lighting and sound systems.
Planned improvements also include upgrades to electrical, plumbing, roofing and HVAC systems, as well as energy-efficient enhance ments designed to reduce long-term operating costs.
'One of the most rewarding aspects of the Community Reinvestment Grant Program is seeing these funds reinvested in projects that strengthen the communities we serve,' said Doug Lambert, general manager of Fayette Electric Cooperative. 'Fayette County Community Theatre has already made a tremendous impact through education, volunteerism and cultural enrichment. This project will create a lasting community asset that will benefit residents of all ages for generations to come.'
The new theater will allow FCCT to bring its operations together under one roof, creating an intimate 80-90-seat venue with a welcoming lobby, dedicated backstage areas and expanded storage space.
The project is part of a larger capital campaign aimed at creating a permanent home for the arts in Fayette County.
'This grant represents much more than financial support,' said Heather Barthelme, executive director of Fayette County Community Theatre. 'It is an investment in creativity, education and community connection. Having a permanent home will allow us to expand opportunities for youth and adults, preserve an important historic building and create a welcoming space where people can learn, perform, connect and grow together.'
The completed facility is expected to serve nearly 10,000 patrons annually while expanding opportunities for youth and adult participation in the arts. The economic impact is more than $250,000.
