BATESVILLE — The Batesville residents who purchased the historic Melba Theater in downtown Batesville are beginning to see their efforts pay off as the theater slowly returns to its former glory through a series of extensive renovations.
Owners Adam and Mandi Curtwright and Joe and Janelle Shell purchased the theater and began renovations last spring. The couples developed a three-phase renovation process. Phase 1 consisted of assessing the building and conducting roof repair, general cleanup and facade renovation. Phase 2 includes restoring the seats, replacing the stage curtains, upgrading to digital projection and sound, adding a new HVAC system, updating electrical components that include lights and fire safety, adding a family/Americans With Disabilities Act-accessible restroom, repainting, installing flooring and adding a sound system for events. The final phase will cover restoring the theater’s balcony.
Mandi Curtwright said renovations are progressing through phase 2 of the plan. The ceiling and walls have been painted, and new laminate hardwood flooring will be placed soon.
“We had to put in new subflooring along the aisles because sections were crumbling and falling in along the walls,” Curtwright said. The original hardwood floor in the center of the seating area will be retained and stained to match the new flooring.
All the electrical components have been updated, and new recessed lighting has been installed. A new central heat-and-air system has been installed, replacing a chicken-house heater that was being used to heat the theater. Janelle Shell said the old heater is available for purchase.
The roof has undergone several repairs, and the drop ceiling in the lobby was removed and replaced with a new tray ceiling. The concession stand was also moved forward a couple of feet to make way for new entry doors into the theater.
Next on the list is to install new tile and vanities in the restrooms. A family/ADA-accessible bathroom has been created out of what once was storage space. Curtwright said the color scheme for the exterior has also been decided. Once approval is received from Main Street Arkansas and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, exterior renovations will move forward, including restoring the theater’s iconic neon sign. Jeff Cupples in Paragould won the bid to refurbish the sign.
“He’s ready to go as soon as we get approval,” Shell said.
The ticket booth will be centered in the front of the building to make room for an entryway on each side of the booth. There will also be a section in the lobby displaying historic items found during the renovation, including original movie posters and ticket stubs.
The Melba originally opened as an opera house in 1875 and was converted to a mercantile store before being remodeled into an Art Deco-style theater and becoming one of the state’s first CinemaScope theaters in 1940.
A date for the grand opening has not been set, but Shell said she would love to see the theater open by summer. Shell said plans call for doing a three-fold grand opening.
“We would like to do a Hollywood gala opening night, followed by a night to recognize those who participated in the Save My Seat campaign and a night to recognize all of the volunteers and workers who put their time and effort into making this a reality,” Shell said.
The Save My Seat campaign allows patrons to name a seat in the theater in memory of a friend or family member or in honor of someone.
“We’ve also had people request that messages like ‘The show must go on’ be placed on their seat,” Snell said.
Seats can be purchased for $50. Visit melbatheater.org for more information on the Save My Seat campaign or to purchase a seat. The theater has partnered with the Batesville Downtown Foundation, so all donations to the Save My Seat campaign are tax-deductible. Snell said there are also plans to have a fundraiser to fund a new digital projector for the theater, which will cost about $60,000.
“The screen is in good shape, but we will have to upgrade to a digital projector, as well as purchase new curtains,” Shell said.
When opened, the theater will show family-friendly movies four days a week — one on Thursday nights, two on Friday nights, three on Saturdays and a matinee on Sundays. Curtwright said the theater will also be available for concerts, business simulcasts, and church and school events.
“People tell me they haven’t been here in years, but they will be here the first day we open. This is something that many in the community want to see happen. It’s a part of their history. We can’t wait to see the finished product,” Shell said.