Outside the CRCA Theater in front of the “Arts In Motion” Mural
Front row L to R: Shelley Yeatman Wise, Beth Andersen (Conyers Civic League), Shelli Siebert (CRCA Executive Director), Rhonda Taylor (State Representative, District 92), Mayor Vince Evans, Leigh Burns (Fox Theatre Institute Director), Derwin Daniels (CRCA Board President), Doreen Carter (State Representative, District 93), Jennifer Baker (CRCA Board Member), Rachelle Norton (CRCA)
Back Row L to R: Mary Ann Robinson (Conyers Civic League), Sandy Daniels, Jennifer Edwards, Kathy Stowers, Sue Troff (Conyers Civic League), Jamie Cabe (CRCA Board Member), Morgan Tabb (CRCA Secretary), Bryan Hilburn (CRCA Treasurer), Dan Morgan, Brad Smith (CRCA Board Member)
PRESS RELEASE
May 11, 2023
For Immediate Release
CONYERS, GA – On Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 4:00 pm in the CRCA Theater, Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts (CRCA) and Fox Theatre Institute (FTI) jointly hosted a ceremony to celebrate the rejuvenation of the theater accomplished from the Urgent/Emergency Needs Grant awarded to CRCA last fall. Remarks were made by CRCA Executive Director, Shelli Siebert, City of Conyers Mayor, Vince Evans, and Fox Theatre Institute Director, Leigh Burns. Mrs. Burns then presented Mrs. Siebert with the symbolic “big check.” Afterwards, the cast of the show Twelve of His Master’s Voice School of Music performed “Today” from their upcoming performance this weekend in the CRCA Theater.
Attendees, including dignitaries Conyers Mayor Vince Evans, State Representative Doreen Carter, State Representative Rhonda Taylor, Conyers Civic League Representative Sue Troff, Conyers Civic League Representative Mary Ann Robinson, and Conyers Civic League Representative Beth Andersen, were able to view the much-needed upgrades to the theater restrooms after the ceremony. Also in attendance were CRCA Board Members Jennifer Baker, Jamie Cabe, Derwin Daniels, Bryan Hilburn, Brad Smith, and Morgan Tabb.
“CRCA and all the performing arts organizations in Georgia are extremely fortunate to have the leadership and support of the Fox Theatre Institute and the Fox Theatre,” said Shelli Siebert. “While the bathroom renovations in the CRCA Theater were completed last November, I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate our historic theater and the community we are a part of.”
Every year in May, local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate National Historic Preservation Month through events that promote historic places and heritage tourism, and that demonstrate the social and economic benefits of historic preservation. The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI) is a dynamic outreach program of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre that offers historic preservation and operations expertise, consultation, and educational support to performing arts venues in Georgia and the southeast region. As part of their National Historic Preservation Month celebration, the Fox Theatre Institute takes this opportunity to recognize the historic theatres awarded their annual grants.
The FTI program has committed more than $2.7 million since its launch in 2008. This grant is one of four grant funding categories through FTI – including Preservation, Historic Structures Studies or Planning, Technical Assistance and Services, and Urgent/Emergency Grant – all of which allows up to $500,000 of much needed statewide grant subsidy.
“Now in 2022, surviving a 17-month closure and a subsequent funding pause, we are thrilled to further invest in historic theatres here in the Southeast. Our work continues to expand and support important economic and community development connecting us all to imperative touchstones for the arts,” said Leigh Burns, Director of FTI. “Our investment outside the Fox with other theatres is reminiscent of the dedication and commitment of many before protecting and preserving the legacy of our own treasured national historic landmark theatre.”
FTI oversees numerous outreach programs including the “Fox in a Box,” a free interactive curriculum-based program for Georgia’s elementary schools; Georgia Presenters, an innovative statewide talent booking consortium; and Preservation Grants to encourage preservation of historic theatres with outside funding not readily available elsewhere.
For more information, please visit www.foxtheatre.org
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About Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts
The Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts is the only source of high quality, diverse performing and visual art programs for the general public in Rockdale County. CRCA’s mission is to connect neighbors, cultivate artistic expression, and celebrate our community’s stories through the power of creativity and the arts. For more information on CRCA, visit https://conyersarts.org, connect on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or call 770-922-3143.
For More Information:
Shelli Siebert, Executive Director
770-922-3143
information@conyersarts.org
https://conyersarts.org
About Fox Theatre Institute
The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI) is a dynamic outreach program offering historic preservation expertise, consultation, and education to performing arts venues in Georgia and the region. Created by Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, an iconic attraction widely applauded for being a catalyst for positive change in the community, FTI pays it forward, helping other cultural institutions renew, reinvigorate, and restore artistic vitality in their backyards and beyond. Keeping environmental and economic impact top of mind, FTI offers the financial assistance, restoration support and operations mentoring needed to leverage scarce resources and stimulate local economies. Not only that, but it keeps the artistic pulse of beloved communities beating for decades to come. For more information, visit foxtheatre.org and please stay connected on Facebook and Instagram.
About the Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premier venues for live entertainment, welcoming more than 250 performances a year in its 4,665-seat theatre. From concerts to ballets, comedy, and movies, the historic venue attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually. The theatre also hosts over 100 annual private events like wedding receptions, trade shows, corporate meetings, and association functions in two fabulous ballrooms. The Fox’s premium Marquee Club presented by Lexus, is a 10,000 sq. ft, three-story luxury bar accessible to all Club Level ticket holders or annual members of the Fox Theatre. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, the Fox Theatre stands today as a fiercely protected landmark and a nationally acclaimed theatre. The Fox Theatre proudly acknowledges its partners for their generous support: Coca-Cola, Lexus, Georgian Terrace Hotel, Georgia Natural Gas, and Regions Bank. Tickets for all events are available at FoxTheatre.org, or toll-free at 855-285-8499. Stay connected by following the Fox Theatre on social via @theFoxTheatre on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Notable accolades 2022 IEBA Theatre of the Year; 2021 Billboard Magazine #1 Highest Grossing Theatre Worldwide (5,000 seats or less); 2021 Pollstar Magazine #2 Theatre Worldwide in Ticket Sales; 2021 Venues Now Magazine #2 Year-End Top Stops (2,001-5,000 seats); 2019 Venues Now #1 Top Stop of the Decade Award for Tickets Sold.
Big Check Presentation in the CRCA Theater
L to R: Leigh Burns (Director, Fox Theatre Institute), Shelli Siebert (Executive Director, CRCA)