Successful future launched for Panola Playhouse
Photo: A scene from the recent production of “Annie” at the Panola Playhouse in Sardis. (Courtesy Panola Playhouse on Facebook)
Dec. 16, 2024–The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) has breathed life into the historic Panola Playhouse in Sardis by awarding a $240,000 building grant to renovate and upgrade playhouse facilities.
Buddy Hart, the president of the Panola Playhouse Board of Directors, said, “Panola Playhouse is required to raise a 40 percent match or $160,000 to complete the first major phase of the renovation. Thanks to the commitment, dedication, and vision of our wonderful board of directors, we have solidified the future of Panola Playhouse by launching a capital campaign ‘The Next Act’.”
Hart said their efforts have generated $77,000 and are working toward raising an additional $80,000. “We should reach our goal by May 1 to begin the bid process soon after,” he said. “We launched our first effort to raise funds for these improvements through a Brick Campaign,” he said. “Personalized bricks were sold, with the plan to create a sidewalk mosaic at the entrance of the theatre. The Brick Campaign was enormously successful.”
Most of the renovations are for the basic infrastructure of the building—a new roof, gutters, outdoor and indoor masonry repairs, stage improvements, lighting, bathroom upgrades and lobby configuration to make the facility ADA compliant.
“We also have plans to renovate the balcony, increasing our seating capacity to 200,” he added. “Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and be completed by May 2026.”
The Panola Playhouse is more than 100 years old. The building was originally a silent movie theater and has been operating as a playhouse since 1962, one of the longest continuously running live theaters in Mississippi. The theater has 120 seats and hosts a variety of productions, including comedies, dramas, musicals, and children’s productions.
“In 2024 we produced six sold out shows—’James and the Giant Peach,’ ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Steel Magnolias,’ ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,’ and ‘Annie,’” Hart added. “We have held three extremely successful youth theater camps, and we have hosted a murder mystery dinner fundraiser.”
The Mississippi Arts Commission awarded $3.5 million to 20 organizations in 13 counties in Mississippi through the Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) grant FY2025. This grant program is highly competitive.
“The third time we applied was the charm,” Hart said. “After twice failing, we learned from our research what MAC required to produce an award-winning grant, including a sound long-range plan that drives the organization. It was a terrific exercise and taught us a lot.”
Hart noted that the board sought the expertise of a grant writer to seek funds on a state and national level. Additionally, they contracted with Belinda Stewart Architects of Eupora to design, oversee and oversee the renovation.
“With more than 35 years of experience, Belinda Stewart Architects has had the opportunity to work with a multitude of community theaters and their renovations projects,” Hart said.
The Panola Playhouse is a small, volunteer-driven organization. To execute a capital campaign has taken much planning and effort by the board and committed volunteers.
“Our theater renovation plan is now a fully developed multi-phased project that will transform all four storefronts that make up Panola Playhouse’s headquarters in downtown Sardis,” said Hart. “While this project has been hard, it has united our community. The bricks our supporters have bought represent a solid foundation for the future of Panola Playhouse. We sincerely thank the Mississippi Arts Commission for helping us open the curtain to our ‘Next Act.’”
For further information on how to be a part of this “Next Act” Capital Campaign program, contact: Panola Playhouse, 212 Main St., Sardis, MS 38666 or by phone at (662) 487-3975. Contributions are tax deductible.
