The vision to restore and establish the Byrd Theatre as the premier community-supported film center for Central Virginia is laid out in six key pillars of the Strategic Plan:
- Organizational Stability
- Defining the Byrd Experience
- Restoration and Renovation of the Theatre
- Programming and Partnership
- Growing the Byrd Community
- Creating a Center for Film and Film Literacy
Letter From the President
Dear Friends,
If time travel was possible outside of the movies, and we could bring the Richmonders who watched the first “talkies” to the present-day Byrd Theatre, I’m sure they would be thrilled to discover that the Byrd is stronger than ever — ready for another 90 years.
The Byrd is beloved in a way that outshines our great programing, our tasty concessions, and our amazing decorated interior. It is a community, and it encloses the collective memories of nine decades of shared experiences, with the promise of many more. I would like to thank all of you who supported the Byrd Theatre Foundation in 2017. The enhancements to our programming and facilities are only possible with your contributions. You are the true superheroes of the Byrd Theatre!
Even if you are a regular member of our audience, I think you’ll be amazed at everything that takes place in our beautiful theater. We entertain with award-winning second-run and classic movies, organ performances, curated special programs, and family films on weekend mornings. We pair films with discussions that inform and engage our audiences — sharing insights on a range of topics and social issues. We partner with, and serve, our community — hosting film festivals, concerts, tributes, celebrations, and, every now and then, a marriage proposal.
We want everyone to enjoy the Byrd! I am proud to say that the Byrd Theatre is accessible to people with disabilities for the first time since opening in 1928. We’ve installed a wheelchair accessible seating area and an ADA restroom off the lobby. These are an important step in making the Byrd welcoming to all. 2017 was a significant year at the Byrd as we began replacing seats at the theatre – a highly anticipated event. Audiences are enjoying the more comfortable seats in the center section on the main floor, and in 2018, we will continue raising funds for the two side sections. Improvements were also made to the men’s room on the first floor with new sinks and new wall and floor tiles.
In addition to more seats, future restoration plans include renovations to the women’s room on the first floor, improvements to the concession area, the addition of hearing and visual assistive technology, and restoration of the loge or front of the balcony. We will be working with Martinez and Johnson, a leading architectural firm that focuses on historic theater restoration.
Volunteers are essential to improving the Byrd experience for our audiences. Last year, they contributed to a total of 10,500 volunteer hours spent on restoring, improving, and promoting the Byrd. We rely on the commitment of our volunteer board and committee members as well as students from James River High School who welcome people to the Byrd on Saturday mornings, handing out program flyers and serving coffee.
Our progress would not be possible without the support of our generous audiences, donors, and volunteers, and our dedicated staff and board members. We are grateful for your contributions to Virginia’s Grand Motion Picture Palace. Thank you, again, for being a part of the growing Byrd community.
Sincerely,
Gibson Worsham
President of the Board
Byrd Theatre Foundation
Restoration Progress
New seats for the first time since the theatre opened in 1928!
First step was removal of the original seats. Mushroom vents under the seats had to be relocated because the space between rows was increased, leave the vents exposed.
The new seats were installed in October. The end pieces were restored and repainted to their original colors.
After 90 years, seats have been replaced!
The Byrd Theatre Foundation was thrilled to give audiences the one thing they valued most: new seats. The center section of seats on the main floor were in place last October, thanks to our supportive community of donors. The process took about five months in part due to vent and flooring work.
The new seats are wider and the rows are farther apart, giving everyone a little more legroom. The seat end caps (shown above left) were restored to their original paint colors.
Additionally, a wheelchair accessible seating section was created at the back of the auditorium, allowing the Byrd to welcome people with physical disabilities for the first time in its history.
The Foundation is proud of this milestone and excited to continue the restoration with the installation of new seats in the side sections next year.
Name a Seat at the Byrd
The Byrd held a campaign to sponsor a new seat with a plaque that honors or memorializes family or friends, a favorite movie or Byrd experience. This campaign is currently closed as the plaques are being placed on seats.
We plan to start a new Name a Seat campaign when work on the next phase of seat replacements begin.
Improving facilities and making the Byrd welcoming to all.
Restoration Master Plan
PHASE I – COMPLETE
- Replacement of the roof
- Replacement of the theater’s heating and cooling system
- Installation of a digital server to add digital as well as traditional films
- Installation of a new state-of-the-art, 4K projector
- Ongoing maintenance and repairs on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
- Repair and restoration of the theatre’s historic plasterwork
- Installation of a point-of-sale system at the theater
- Restoration of the theatre’s center section of seats in the main auditorium
- Creation of a wheelchair accessible seating area in the main auditorium
- Construction of an ADA family restroom on the first floor of the theatre
PHASE II
- ADA Hearing Assistance, Descriptive Audio & Closed Captioning Renovation of the lobby level women’s toilet room with possible ADA stall
- Concession Stand improvements with possible beer service
- Study of “multi-purpose” room on Mezzanine Level/Upper Foyer
- Main level house left and right seating replacement with existing standards
- Main level house left and right repair and rehabilitation of concrete floor
- Main level house left and right relocation of HVAC mushroom devices
- Carpet replacement house far left and far right
- Study of Balcony Loge seating replacement and configuration for VIP table service for possible inclusion
- Restoration of the harp
- Stagehouse & Lighting System Improvements
- Mechanical Improvements
- Electrical Improvements
- Replace fire alarm system
- New house PA system
- Exterior Repair Improvements
Expansion of Facilities for Growth Now Under Study:
- Additional screens
- Office space
- Storage
- Elevator
By The Numbers: 2018
15%
Due to the programming expansion of classic film series.
120,000
Patrons visited the Byrd Theater in 2017
10,500
Volunteer hours spent working with the Foundation to deliver the Byrd experience
43
Community partners worked with the theatre to create valuable public events in 2017
$4,319,005
Represents the Byrd Theatre’s economic impact on the Richmond and Tri-Cities Region, based on findings from the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 impact study conducted by American for the Arts
The Annual Fund
BALCONY SOCIETY $500+
PROMENADE $250-$499
PATRONS $100-$249
FRIENDS UP TO $99
CORPORATE MATCHING GRANTS
SEAT SPONSORS
RESTORATION PARTNERS
View the Full 2018 Annual Report
There’s a lot more to our 2018 Annual Report.