Plans in the works for the Liberty Theater
The last movie it played might have been in 2008, but the Liberty Theater could again have patrons throu
gh its doors.
At last Wednesday’s Fayette County Chamber meeting, guest speaker Dana Miller Leskera shared her story and her vision for the local theater.
Leskera grew up in Vandalia and graduated from Vandalia Community High School in 1984 and Southern Illinois University in 1988.
In 1992, she moved to Chicago and eventually discovered a passion for all things related to food, wine, fashion and culture.
After 32 years in downtown Chicago, Leskera was getting tired of city life, so she decided to buy a house on Seventh Street in Vandalia as a city get-away. When the pandemic hit, she was so glad to be in Vandalia again and decided to move back home permanently.
The Liberty Theatre was something she was interested in immediately, as she knew it would further enhance the rejuvenation of the downtown area, and because so many people have wonderful memories of going to see Jaws, or Star Wars or Grease.
Possible ideas Leskera shared for the future of the Liberty Theater could include a performance center that could be multi-use, hosting plays, musicals, dinner theater events, weddings or anniversary celebrations.
Leskera said that the structure of the
Originally opened about 1910 as the Dixie Theater. This small, still-single screen gem of a movie house was remodeled in an Art Deco style during the 1930’s, when it was renamed the Liberty Theater.
theater is in “good shape.”
The marquee will be revamped so it does not pull existing brick off the facing and will most likely be converted to a digital display for convenience of changing information.
The plan for the lobby is to have it redone but to “keep the existing charm.”
The Court Theater located in Chicago was shown at the meeting as an example, as well as the visual aids Leskera used to show what the concept for the Liberty could be.
Leskera said, “The idea is to bring it back and keep the elements that we all remember and love, but to make it better.”
The remodel is estimated to be a three- to five-year project, with a possible start date this fall, but with changing elements of time, money, materials and the remodeling process itself, the timetable can be affected.
