Tybee Post Theater is a movie theatre located on Tybee Island, Georgia, United States.
Contents |
The Post Theater was constructed in 1930. After being silent for 40 years, live performances began again in 2010. The Tybee Post Theater is one of the few building used by the U.S. Army during its operation of Ft. Screven to be accessible by the public.
It was one of the first theaters in Georgia to have sound features and was the highlight of recreational activities for the Fort. Because the theater was built by the Army, the blueprints for the theater were one of several standardized designs. The Post Theater has a Greek Revival style facade and is similar in design to theaters at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Hancock, New Jersey. The interior was originally Streamline Moderne.
After Fort Screven was decommissioned, the Post Theater was sold to private owners and became the Beach Theater. From the 1940s through the 1960s locals and tourists alike enjoyed movies at the Beach. At the end of the sixties her run was over and the theater closed. For a brief time it served as a sail loft and was later gutted in anticipation of development into condominiums. The building then stood vacant and open to the elements for over 20 years. In 2006 the theater was purchased by the Friends of the Tybee Theater which is a 501 C-3 non-profit corporation staffed entirely by volunteers.
Through a combination of private and government funds, a restoration plan has been completed. Phase 1 of restoration, a new roof and securing of the building, was accomplished in 2009. The Tybee Post Theater was the first Georgia project to receive a grant funded by specialized license plates. The $20,000 so garnered was be applied to replacing the theater's doors and windows.[1] The now named Tybee Post Theater is becoming the cultural arts center for Tybee Island and the surrounding community featuring all types of live entertainment, movies and arts activities.A new chapter began in the life for the historic Tybee Post Theater in 2010; it is coming back to life with performances inside the theater!
In addition to its unique size of seating for 240, the Tybee Post Theater's proximity to beach enhances its attractiveness as a destination and venue. A recent survey confirmed that Tybee Island is the highest rated destination outside of Savannah's Historic District.
Plans for the interior of the Tybee Post Theater create a space that is highly adaptive with a tiered floor that allows for theater seating while also allowing tables for conferences and other events. By using the Post Guard House in conjunction with the Post Theater, business conferences in the "shoulder" season will be attracted to Tybee for the benefit of hotels and other lodging as well as for restaurants.
There are many potential uses of the theater space that would attract a year-round audience to Tybee, from Wilmington Island, and from Savannah: · movie nights with pizza or popcorn · family sing along at sunset · educational movies and lectures · theater productions · live musical performances · art exhibits · activities and educational programs for children
The Tybee Post Theater has a close working relationship with important non-profit organizations - the Lucas Theater, the Savannah Folk Music Society and the Savannah Music Festival - which will be of great assistance in developing programming for the theater. In addition, local professional musicians see the theater space as an exciting new venue and are eager to offer their support and talents.
The interior work on the building has been organized by the architect into components and phases so that operation of the theater can be expedited as financial support is developed. We believe that there are many opportunities for the theater to benefit the residents and business community of Tybee and of Chatham County.