The League of Historic Theaters

- an organization devoted to sustaining historic theatres across North America

by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

    The League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) held their national conference in Austin, Texas from July 15 to 18, 2018. Marquee I attended the event with Rick Boychuk, representing Historic Stage Services LLC. We were participating in the EXPO as an LHAT Service Provider.
    LHAT was founded in 1976. The charter members for this non-profit organization wanted to unite historic playhouses across the country. The organization’s website explains that the main purpose of the organization is to help sustain historic theatres across North America for the benefit of their communities and future generations. Paramount 1 LHAT is a professional network for theatre owners and operators to connect with others facing similar challenges as they purchase, restore, reopen, or simply maintain historic entertainment venues.
    LHAT invites membership from theaters that are at least 50 years old, but need not be placed on the National Register. The venue must also include at least one of the following attributes:

1. It is an architecturally significant structure deemed worthy of preservation.
2. It has played an important role in the history of American stage and screen.
3. It can be used as a performing arts facility.

    The profile of LHAT includes members from throughout the theatre industry in both the United States and Canada. There are over 1,100 members representing 380 historic theatres and organizations involved in LHAT. The membership is diverse, including small to large theater venues, rural & urban; nonprofit and profit operation models. There are also individual subscribers whose philanthropic contributions support historic theatres across the continent. LHAT activities include distributing information at conferences as well as in an online chat room. Common topics center around discussing the unique challenges of historic theatre ownership and operation. Members can easily reach out to others working in theatres of all sizes and stages of renovation & operation, as well as connect with theatre industry professionals whose services range from architecture to ticketing.
Paramount 2    The annual EXPO & Reception provides LHAT service providers and suppliers with an opportunity to meet representatives from more than 125 historic theatres nationwide. It is a 2-½ hour reception with drinks and desserts to help facilitate informal meetings with firms that provide a variety of goods and services for historic theaters. The EXPO takes place during one day of the conference when there are no other competing conference events. Furthermore, the EXPO features only table top exhibits with every exhibitor receiving the same amount of space regardless of the firm’s size, creating a low-key and welcoming atmosphere for all participants.
    My first LHAT conference was in Chicago during 2014. This was only after I accidentally discovered LHAT online. I was intrigued with the eclectic membership representing theatre owners, administrators and service providers. Each conference begins with a “Theatre Ramble.” I was able to quickly connect and network with members during this pre-conference event. The Ramble is an opportunity to explore historic theaters with other kindred spirits from across the country. It is always a magical and inspiring activity. LHAT is a very welcoming group of people. I was surprised to learn that many of the individuals running historic theaters did not have any sort of theatre background or training. Yet, we all recognized each other as “stewards” who wanted to preserve historic theaters for future generations to enjoy.
    In Austin, the Theatre Ramble brought us to the Scottish Rite Theatre, Austin 1 Paramount Theatre and State Theater. Additionally we viewed the Gaslight Baker Theatre in Lockhart, Texas and the Majestic Theatre, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, and the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio. At the Austin Scottish Rite Theatre, I was asked to give a short presentation about Masonic scenery and what made the theater space unique. Austin Foliage     I was able to share that the Scottish Rite Masons renovated the 1871 building in 1914. Previously, it was a Turner Hall and cultural center for German activities. As part of the 1914 renovation, the Masons purchased a used scenery collection that was originally created for a theater in Guthrie, Oklahoma and painted by Sosman & Landis during 1900-1901. The last stop in the Theatre Ramble was the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre in New Braunfels, Texas where we received a very warm welcome from the board of directors as we entered the old cinema.
    LHAT is a wonderful resource for those managing historic opera houses, theatres, and cinemas. It also provides many opportunities for those who want to explore our shared theatre architecture legacy across the U.S and Canada. There is an upcoming regional conference scheduled for Portland Oregon from September 12-13. Here is the link to the LHAT website for additional information: http://www.lhat.org. [ ]