Artcraft Theatre opens again to public

The curtain goes up and the lights go down again this weekend at the Historic Artcraft Theatre.

Nearly a month after storm damage to the roof forced it to close to the public, the downtown Franklin mainstay welcomes patrons again this weekend. Engineers conducted a thorough inspection last week before giving the OK to reopen.

Ever since, theater staff and volunteers have been hustling to have everything ready for moviegoers, starting today.

“That’s our face — the face of Franklin Heritage is the Artcraft Theatre. We’re preservationists, but we’re also movie folks. To be able to get the building safe again, to get people inside so they can watch movies, that’s what we want to do. That’s our goal,” said Dave Windisch, director of marketing for the Artcraft Theatre.

When tornadoes and powerful storms swept through Johnson County on March 31, the Artcraft Theatre sustained significant damage to its structure. High winds damaged the west side of the roof above the stage, as the roof had been lifted up and slammed down multiple times, knocking bricks loose and loosening the facade.

The marquee had broken panels and tracks for lettering. Nearly all of the letters that had been up advertising upcoming events were also lost to the storm.

After the storms, staff worked with Arsee Engineers to determine how badly the building had been damaged. The main focus was on the fly loft, located over the stage.

Artcraft leadership worked with engineers, as well as contractors, city planners, staff, and masons to assess, plan, and implement emergency repairs to stabilize the building. Though events had to be canceled —and are now in the process of being rescheduled —the theater still sold concessions to go on the weekends, to keep a revenue stream going.

A fundraiser, spearheaded by local musician, producer and composer Jerry Navarro, also raised money to support the Artcraft.

After Arsee inspected the work again in late April, it was found to be safe for public events, Windisch said.

“We did all of the things they suggested, and when they came back for another visit, they said it looked great,” he said. “We wanted to have as short of a closing as possible, because we love movies and need the theater to be open, but didn’t want to cut corners with safety.”

The reopening kicks off Thursday with a free senior showing sponsored by Astral at Franklin and Swartz Family Community Mortuary. The event is open to anyone over 55, and will take place at 1:30 p.m.

Then on Friday and Saturday, the Artcraft will be screening “Arsenic and Lace,” a 1944 Frank Capra dark comedy starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane. Shows will be at 2 and 7:30 p.m. both days.

“We’re slowly getting our website back up to par. We still have movies we need to announce. It’s just such a relief that this phase is done,” Windisch said.

Even with the theater reopened to the public, scaffolding will remain in place to focus on non-structural masonry maintenance and exterior tuckpointing. The cosmetic damage received to the front of the theater is awaiting completion but is in process as well.

“People will still see scaffolding, you’ll still see workers going forward because there are some cosmetic things, tuck points and other long-term maintenance,” Windisch said. “We invested in that scaffolding, and since it’s up, we’re going to use it instead of tearing it down and using it another year.

“So if you see workers, don’t be afraid. It’s still safe.”

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IF YOU GO

Upcoming Historic Arcraft Theatre events

Where: 57 N. Main St., Franklin

Tickets: $6 adults; $5 seniors, college students, military with ID; $4 children 12 and under

Thursday: Swartz Senior Series film, 1:30 p.m., free movie for anyone 55 or older courtesy of Swartz Family Community Mortuary.

Friday-Saturday: “Arsenic and Old Lace,” 2 and 7:30 p.m.

May 12-13: “The Wizard of Oz,” 2 and 7:30 p.m.

May 19-20: “A Fistful of Dollars,” 2 and 7:30 p.m.

May 26-27: “Smokey and the Bandit,” 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Information: historicartcrafttheatre.org