Fayette EC Grant Supports Permanent Home for Fayette County Community Theatre

Fayette County Community Theatre (FCCT) has been awarded a $10,000 grant through Fayette Electric Cooperative's Community Reinvestment Grant Program to support renovation of the historic Von Rosenberg Building in downtown La Grange, helping transform the structure into a permanent home for community theater, arts education, entertainment and cultural programming. 

The grant is part of Fayette Electric Cooperative's Community Reinvestment Grant Program, which is funded through unclaimed capital credits. Rather than allowing eligible unclaimed funds to leave the community, Fayette EC reinvests those dollars into projects that strengthen rural communities through economic development, education, community enrichment and quality-of-life improvements. 

The FCCT project will renovate the historic building at 253 W. Travis Street into a fully accessible community theater featuring audience seating, a lobby and concession area, ticketing space, dressing rooms, backstage support areas, storage and modern theatrical lighting and sound systems. Planned improvements also include upgrades to electrical, plumbing, roofing and HVAC systems, as well as energy-efficient enhancements designed to reduce long-term operating costs. 

"One of the most rewarding aspects of the Community Reinvestment Grant Program is seeing these funds reinvested in projects that strengthen the communities we serve," said Doug Lambert, general manager of Fayette Electric Cooperative. "Fayette County Community Theatre has already made a tremendous impact through education, volunteerism and cultural enrichment. This project will create a lasting community asset that will benefit residents of all ages for generations to come."

Founded in 2016, FCCT has spent more than nine years providing affordable, volunteer-driven theatrical productions and educational opportunities throughout rural Central Texas without a permanent facility. The organization currently presents performances in rented venues across Fayette County. 

The new theater will allow FCCT to bring its operations together under one roof, creating an intimate 80-90-seat venue with a welcoming lobby, dedicated backstage areas and expanded storage space. The project is part of a larger capital campaign aimed at creating a permanent home for the arts in Fayette County.

"This grant represents much more than financial support," said Heather Barthelme, executive director of Fayette County Community Theatre. "It is an investment in creativity, education and community connection. Having a permanent home will allow us to expand opportunities for youth and adults, preserve an important historic building and create a welcoming space where people can learn, perform, connect and grow together."

The completed facility is expected to serve nearly 10,000 patrons annually while expanding opportunities for youth and adult participation in the arts. In addition to cultural benefits, the project is expected to provide economic benefits by revitalizing a vacant downtown property, increasing activity around the La Grange Square and supporting nearby restaurants, retailers, contractors and suppliers. 

FCCT has established itself as a significant community resource since its founding. The organization has produced 38 theatrical productions, provided educational programming and summer workshops, awarded scholarships, participated in more than 50 community events and engaged nearly 250 adult volunteers. The theater's activities generate an estimated economic impact of more than $250,000 while supporting educational growth, volunteerism and community engagement throughout the region. 

According to FCCT, the new facility will create a permanent, accessible gathering space that promotes education, civic engagement, volunteerism and cultural enrichment while ensuring arts programming remains available and affordable for residents of all ages. 

The Fayette EC Community Reinvestment Grant Program reflects the cooperative's commitment to investing in projects that improve the quality of life in the communities it serves while creating long-term benefits for residents.