The Byrd Theatre Foundation

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR GROWTH:THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO EMPLOY A PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO OVERSEE THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE THEATRE AND HAS MADE MAJOR STRIDES IN CAPACITY BUILDING. AS OF JUNE 30, 2024, THE FOUNDATION HAD SEVERAL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES INCLUDING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, A GENERAL MANAGER, AND A DIRECTOR OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND CHIEF CURATOR, AND MULTIPLE PART-TIME EMPLOYEES TO COVER ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM MANAGING THE THEATRE'S SOCIAL MEDIA TO WORKING FRONT OF HOUSE AND PROJECTION POSITIONS. THE FOUNDATION RAISED AND USED FUNDS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF AN AGED AND NON-FUNCTIONING HVAC CHILLER SYSTEM.

RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE THEATRE:LISTED ON THE STATE AND NATIONAL REGISTERS OF HISTORIC LANDMARKS, THE BYRD THEATRE OPENED NINETY-SIX YEARS AGO ON DECEMBER 24, 1928. IT HAS REMAINED OPERATIONAL AND NEARLY UNCHANGED SINCE THE DAY CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED. IN 2011, THE BYRD THEATRE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED A BOLD INITIATIVE TO RAISE THE FIRST $1,800,000 FOR PHASE ONE RESTORATION PROJECTS, MORTGAGE REDUCTION AND CAPACITY BUILDING. SIGNIFICANT ACHIVEMENTS INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE ROOF, REPLACEMENTS OF THE THEATRE'S HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS, INSTALLATION OF A DIGITAL SERVER, INSTALLATION OF A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART 4K PROJECTOR, ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS ON THE MIGHTY WURLITZER ORGRAN. MORE RECENT WORK HAS INCLUDED REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF THE THEATRE'S PLASTERWORK, INSTALLATION OF A POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM AT THE THEATRE, REPLACEMNET OF THE THEATRE'S CENTER SECTION OF SEATS IN THE MAIN AUDITORIUM, CREATION OF A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SEATING AREA AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADA FAMILY RESTROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE THEATRE. THIS PAST YEAR, THE FOUNDATION RAISED THE NECESSARY FUNDS AND REPLACAED ITS HVAC CHILLER UNIT AS WELL AS INSTALLING A NEW BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM CONTROLS WHICH WILL BE USED TO CONTROL THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM REMOTELY.