Tybee Post Theatre celebrating 10 years of upgrades and restoration

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) -The Tybee Post Theatre has been a part of the Tybee Island’s history since 1930, originally built as a movie house for soldiers stationed at Fort Screven.

Despite its rich history, it sat dark on the island after World War two and was almost demolished in 1999.

Fortunately, it was saved and then purchased and officially restored in 2015.

This Saturday, September 27th, marks the ten-year anniversary.

“The original theater was built in 1930 for the army base here, which was Fort Screven,” explained Tybee Post Theatre Executive Director, Evan Goetz.

It was a way for soldiers stationed at Fort Screven and their families to have some fun and enjoy entertainment, outside of World War Two. But when the war ended, the army had no more use for it.

“It eventually went to a few different people, but landed in the hands of the people who owned the trustees and Lucas Theater downtown. And it remained a movie theater. They renamed it the Beach Theater. And it continued being a theater for people out on the island in Savannah until the early 60s,” Goetz explained.

But from the 60’s until 2015, the theatre went completely dark.

“There had been a couple of fires over the time. The roof was caved in. It was just a really, really big mess during that time,” said Goetz.

The City of Tybee Island then took out a temporary lease on the property in order to save it, then the Tybee Island Historical Society purchased it in 2001, permanently saving it from destruction.

A nonprofit was created that year as well, called “Friends of the Tybee Post Theatre.” They bought the space and began on a mission to re-open the theatre and give it new life.

Finally in 2015, the theatre was finally restored,

“People said...We’ve got to save it and create this performing arts venue for the people of Tybee and Savannah. So that’s what happened,” said Goetz.

Now, it’s so much more. Putting on more than 200 productions every year, including film, dance, comedies, and musicals.

On Saturday, the theatre is putting on a 10-hour live telethon, featuring local acts and performers, to celebrate this milestone and raise money to keep the stage lights on, for years to come.

The Telethon is taking place this Saturday from noon until 10pm at the Tybee Post Theatre. It will also be livestreamed on the Tybee Post’s website.