Seven to Save 2021: Historic Theaters

Theaters across New Hampshire are in trouble.

Community opera houses, playhouses, downtown movie theaters, and grand urban performance spaces have played a valuable role in building local economies and strengthening the social fabric of our communities. They represent a wide variety of building styles and decorative features. Several are listed on the National or State Register and many more are eligible for listing.

For years, even before the pandemic, many had become vacant, only existing as places of memory and nostalgia. Others have hung on by implementing creative business models with new types of tenants and uses. But now, after two years of minimal use and canceled events, unprecedented challenges face them, with no—or reduced--audiences to support the costs of maintaining these historic venues.

Despite Local Support, the Future of Many Historic Theatres Remains Uncertain

Communities throughout our state have supported capital campaigns and crowdfunded projects to keep the projectors rolling, shows booked, and tickets sold. Since the spring of 2020, COVID has compounded the strain of high operating costs and a rapidly changing cultural climate.

To theaters that were already seeking support outside of their subscribers and patrons, the pandemic is a wake-up call and a stark reminder of their uncertain future.

You Can Help!

This Seven to Save listing aims to help theater owners and advocates raise awareness of their challenges and opportunities and remind people of the value of supporting the arts and historic cultural spaces within our communities. Once these historic landmarks close down, it is a monumental undertaking to bring them back to life. To ensure that their stages don’t go dark…Buy a ticket ...Attend a show ...Support your local arts community.

Click to learn more about our Seven to Save program and view past listees:

Thanks to our generous 2021 sponsors: Anagnost Companies, Chinburg Properties and Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc. Also: Great Bridge Properties | JLT Painting | Turnstone Corporation | American Steeple & Tower Co., Inc. SMP Architecture | Dennis Mires, P.A., The Architects | Ciborowski Associates | Fisher Engineering | JR Graton Historic Restoration, LLC | Misiaszek Turpin, PLLC | Peter W. Powell Real Estate | Graham & Veroff, P.C. Summit Engineering | Yeaton Associates, Inc. | Ambit Engineering, Inc. | DB Architects, LLC | Altus Engineering, Inc. | Erie Landmark Co. Emanual Engineering, Inc. | Alba Architects, LLP | Enviro-Tote, Inc. | Arch Weathers Historic SashWorks, LLC | Udelsman Associates Hamblet Electric | Samyn-D’Elia Architects | Abatron, Inc. | Nobis Engineering, Inc.

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