Improvements underway at Prairie Theater

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a year of receiving funds and securing bids, major progress is being made to improve the facilities at the Fort Griffin Fandangle’s Prairie Theater.

Currently, the entire seating area for the audience, which was a series of terraces dug into a hillside to provide tiered seating, has been torn out and new limestone block terracing installed.

Board members approved a capital improvement drive a year ago to raise donations from individuals, companies and non-profit charitable organizations to start a major overhaul of the outdoor theater constructed in 1965 and in need of major repairs.

The Prairie Theater is home to the yearly performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Minor improvements and repairs have been undertaken over the years, but directors felt it was time to make much more substantial and lasting repairs to safely see the show through the end of its first century of performances.

The Fandangle was written by local playwright Robert Nail and first performed as a senior play in 1938. The show quickly became a community endeavor with hundreds of cast members retelling the settling of the Clear Fork of the Brazos area starting in the 1860s.

Initially setting a goal of $300,000, the board quickly realized that the scope and cost of the repairs would likely double or triple original estimates.

The cost of repairing the terrace system that is the base for the 1,200 seats for the audience is by itself costing approximately $400,000. The construction is being completed by Raydon, Inc. of Breckenridge, including concrete and limestone seating  terraces, stairways, and sidewalks.

Drainage issues are also being resolved by the construction project.

The theater’s sound system is being completely redesigned and replaced at a cost of $170,000, according to board president Henry Musselman. The current system was purchased in the 1980s. The new system is being designed and installed by Earsight Design of Abilene.

The complete refurbishing and refitting of the steam-powered calliope has been turned over to a committee of Louann George, Branch Bartee, Ann Harwood, and Nancy Hallman.

Musselman said that preliminary budget figures for repairs could be as high as $100,000.

The board is also installing new water supply lines and will need funding to improve sets and costumes.

Musselman added that there are other walkways that need to be improved, as well completely rebuilding the restrooms at the theater.

“We are still welcoming donations,” he said. “We have exceeded our original goal of $300,000 by more than double, but the expenses have come in well over what was anticipated. We have the two major projects covered that will be completed by June in time for the show, but there is more that must be done.”

He added that the electrical system at the theater is also over 30 years old and needs to be upgraded, a project which has yet to be considered.

“We are so thankful for the people who have stepped up by donating, but more is still needed,” he said.

Anyone interested in contributing to the effort can send a check to the Fort Griffin Fandangle, PO Box 2017, Albany, TX 76430.

The association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.