Renovations to Theatre at Vint Hill ready for “Christmas Carol” opening on Dec. 4

Something exciting is happening in Fauquier County, Virginia – two organizations and joining efforts and funds to create something special for their community.

The movie theater at the former Vint Hill Army Base, owned by Fauquier County since the US Army left the base in the mid 1990’s, was then converted into a live performance stage theatre by a group of Fauquier Community Theatre volunteers. FCT presented “Evita” to inaugurate the transformed facility inm 1996.

Built in the 1940’s and used as the performance venue for FCT and other groups over the past 19 years, the theatre has shown its age and the county has worked to renovate it by installing a new roof, upgraded the heating and air conditioning system, and painted the outside of the building.

Now renovations INSIDE the building will provide a fresh new look, while keeping the retro 40’s feel.

In an unique cooperative partnership between Fauquier County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Fauquier Community Theatre, the inside of the building is being renovated and will be ready for the patrons of FCT’s Christmas production of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, that opens next weekend on Dec. 4 for a three-weekend run.

New seat cushions and covers are being replaced, the inside of the building has been painted, and new flooring and carpeting has been installed. These renovations are being funded through the county budget and funds obtained through generous donations from FCT theatre patrons and various fundraisers.

Planning is in the works to improve the overall facilities and accessibility, but this is a great first step.

In 2014, a trailer donated by William A. Hazel Company upgraded the dressing rooms. The backstage access corridor was built by Jonathan Caron Construction, Inc. and paint and application was donated by Sherwin Williams and Jim Constable.

FCT and the Fauquier County Department of Parks and Recreation hope to pursue another capital improvement initiative to upgrade the social areas and convenience facilities which are still very much in the style and condition of an old Army base.

For now, FCT is very proud of the progress and excited for those who will get an opportunity to see the upgrades and give the seats a test during Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. Tickets are available at http://www.FCTstage.org.

This Vint Hill Theatre is a real cultural gem. There is not a bad seat in the house, and the audience intimacy with the stage is outstanding.