Learn about the role that historic theatres are playing statewide in Georgia's cultural and economic redevelopment.  While Atlanta systematically destroyed many historic theatres during a boom of planned development, one lone theatre — the Fox in Atlanta — became an icon for historic theatre preservation and economic redevelopment, spurring a statewide movement.

The conference, Thinking Outside the Fox, will showcase and celebrate the saving of not only a theatre, but of an entire downtown culture.  As Atlanta now demonstrates, historic theatres are assets — rather than liabilities — to economic and cultural development in large metropolitan areas.

We will investigate the role historic theatres play in large metropolitan areas and smaller communities in promoting strong downtowns, rich arts development and economic revitalization.

The pre-conference Historic Theatre Ramble on July 15 will include visits to theatres in Georgia of varying sizes, architectural styles, operating structures and programming philosophies.  Once viewed as eyesores occupying valuable real estate, many of them have sparked downtown re-development, attracted artists and other creative people to their communities and are engaging new audiences.

The largest gathering in the country of historic theatre professionals and community leaders interested in revitalizing their communities through historic theatre rehabilitation, the League's annual conference attracts participants from across the U.S. and Canada.