After more than a century of serving as a cultural hub, the Georgetown Palace Theatre is set to reopen following extensive repairs funded by the local community. The venue has successfully raised over $400,000 to recover from significant flood damage that disrupted its operations.
The Palace Theatre, a longstanding fixture of Georgetown Plaza, suffered severe flooding due to a pump failure during a winter storm in late January. This incident resulted in over three feet of water inundating the stage, causing the destruction of three rows of seating and damage to essential production equipment.
Debra Heater, the theatre’s development director, noted that the repair costs are estimated to be around half a million dollars, with insurance covering less than ten percent of that total. The flooding not only inflicted physical damage but also severely disrupted the theatre’s performance schedule, leading to the loss of twelve shows and the cancellation of one production.
In response to these challenges, the Palace Theatre launched a fundraising campaign, which garnered an astonishing response from the Georgetown community, raising the necessary funds in just two months. A significant contribution came from the W.D. Kelley Foundation, which provided a $100,000 matching grant to aid in the rebuilding efforts.
Heater expressed gratitude for the community’s support, stating, “It was amazing. To be able to come back—and come back better—having them was a huge part of that. It makes us feel so loved and grateful, and we’re just thrilled to be able to come back and do what we love, which is produce theatre.”
Restoration work is already in full swing, with crews replacing damaged carpeting, relocating seating, and installing new sound equipment. Plans for an updated interior design are also underway, although specific details have yet to be revealed. Heater promised that the renovated space would provide a remarkable experience for patrons.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the necessary upgrades, the theatre is optimistic about its future. Heater remarked, “We’re not happy that it happened this way, but we are so grateful we’re able to do this now, so we can be ready for the next 100 years.”
Local residents share this enthusiasm, recognizing the theatre’s integral role in the community’s cultural landscape. Katie Harper, who works at a nearby boutique, described the theatre as “monumental,” emphasizing its historical significance and the memories it holds for generations of Georgetown residents.
For longtime attendees like Kenny Gattis, the Palace Theatre has been a beloved part of their lives for over four decades. He fondly recalls seeing “Star Wars” there in 1977, asserting that the community’s swift support for the theatre was unsurprising. “Downtown Georgetown takes care of their own,” he remarked. “This town has been here forever and ever, and they’re going to take care of the Palace Theatre no matter what.”
The Palace Theatre is scheduled to open for rentals by the end of this month, with its first production, the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar,” set to premiere on May 29th. Tickets for the upcoming shows and donations for reconstruction can be made through the theatre’s website.
