Fairborn Theatre
34 S. Broad Street,
Fairborn,
OH
45324
34 S. Broad Street,
Fairborn,
OH
45324
8 people
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Status should be changed to “Renovating”. Now under the banner of Fairborn Phoenix, the split auditorium has been returned to its original single screen configuration.
https://www.fairbornphoenix.com/
Renovation article: Grant
The renovation of the Fairborn Theatre is being managed by the Fairborn Phoenix Foundation, a local non-profit group. Here is their web site. It has a few recent photos, mostly on the “News & Updates” page. A couple of events have been held for fundraising (screenings of a locally-made movie and of The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and only one live event is scheduled (a Beatles tribute in June) so it’s not really open yet. The place is still pretty rough, as can be seen from the photos, and most of the renovation work remains to be done, but progress is being made, bit by bit.
Two screens on February 10th, 1973. Grand opening ad posted.
Chakeres' Fairborn Theatre opened on January 27, 1948, according to Boxoffice of April 3 that year. The architects were Zeller & Hunter (Lloyd Zeller and Herman Hunter) of Springfield, Ohio. The building was listed on the NRHP in 2005.
Anyone have pictures of the theater interior?
An August 2016 Google street view shows the marquee in very bad shape and only the F and A left from the word FAIRBORN. Not looking to promising.
i was a member of the organization for 2 years i had a great time working with everyone tearing up the old seats putting the letters up on the marquee i still have one of my seats and im in the process right now of restoring it i would love to get a hold of butch and ivan. Ian Meadows
Sorry for the mistype, it’s*
I was just reading through some of the comments, and the newest ones being from mid-2009 concern me. I’m a current 8th grader at Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton, although I still live in and love Fairborn with all my heart. Theatre is my life, and don’t get me wrong, I love all the theatres that I work with in other cities in the area, but I would absolutely love for Fairborn to have out own to be proud of, and show off talent from. Has the plan for the theatre been lost? I can’t seem to find much information…
Here is a 1949 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/c9febh
Sorry, for the typo: it is http://fairbornpac.org
New website: htpp://fairbornpac.org
Hi Kimberly
I just sent you an e-mail through your website via your assistant. I attached a few photos of the theatre and left my contact info….Please give me a call, I can give you a much better update over the phone.
Hi, I was Wondering any News? What are they Going to “Perserve” from this Cinema? – I visited the Website above, but No Draft design.
I hope, 1.) the Cinemas' Front Lightbulbs located underneath the outside Foyer, stay in tact. and 2.) The Large FAIRBORN Sign remains. also, 3.) the Face Emblem, or Drama man..whatever is located in the center remains there. – With so many “drab Movie multi-plex” taking over, It’s Necessary to keep the Original Look and Feel, of the “Bright Lights” – Small Town, Walk-in cinema. – Hopeful for one, Very Large Screen, and performance stage will also appeal.
I fully Agree that “Fairborn is Deserving of a Community Arts Center”. ( I grew up playing the Violin, taught by the Late, Ms. Joan Seymour. – If anyone was privileged to know Her, you understand how much Talent Can be achieved; while showcasing the Orchestra, and Bands, etc.
The Importance is the Outside remaining a Historic Movie Theatre. The FAIRBORN TWIN should remain in Tradmark, at its best. –
If the Fairborn Newspaper, and City School District will advertise more, (the Necessity for Keeping this Theatre in charitible rennovations), more Contributions can be achieved; Residents Should Help out. I certainly will donate as much, But I was Very Happy to read about rennovation plans. There is Sooo much to perseve, and I recognise a few of your Names here.
When I asked about the cinema a few years back, my Mother Dorothy, said to me over the phone, “the twin cinema closed Kim, it’s going to be demolished”… I shouted with, “No, it can’t!"
(Go Skyhawks… Class of 1990.} – Thanks.
We have finished up the exterior brick repair and will be starting with the removal of the center wall, two screens and seats. One of the screens and the seats will be put up for sale soon. We are basically preping the theatre for renovation…We are working on a capital campaign and grant writing…more updates to come.
Any further updates? Are the plans still moving forward?
The new roof of the Fariborn is near completion, Electric is connected to the building; but the electric needs to be brought up to code before the lights can be turned on. We are looking into bringing a theatre pipe organ to the fairborn, so if anyone has one or knows where one is, please let us know. We are also in need of projectors. Chakers took the originals when they left. We are hoping to get some donated, so again any help or ideas would be appreciated.
More information on the restoration can be found at the following website. The URL is:
http://fairbornperformingartsandculturalcenter.org
Thanks.
Brian Shapiro
shapiro at ohio dot edu
Does anyone have an update on how the restoration is going? Are there any needs for volunteers?