In May of 2018, Prout celebrated 40 years of The Academy of Ballet and Jazz with a production of her favorite ballet, The Sleeping Beauty. Many Academy of Ballet and Jazz alumni attended during the run of that performance and got to stand in the same place where their love for dance was born.
Prout was “especially proud of the ABJ Alumni that share the love of dance to the next generation,” including many on her faculty and parents of current students.
As popular as the theatre is, many are not aware of its storied history. According to the Tuscaloosa Art’s Council website, the theatre finished construction in 1938 as a movie palace. The grand opening featured a parade, the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band, and a film screening.
The theatre was designed by David O. Whilldin and originally also housed the Tuscaloosa City Hall. It was the first building with air conditioning in the city.
The interior features Italian Renaissance architecture with balconies, columns, and tapestries. The most iconic feature is the theatre ceiling, painted to look like the night sky complete with small flashing lights as stars. Overall, the theatre provides a dreamy atmosphere for the audience to enjoy and enter the magical world of performing arts.
The exterior of the building features a rounded limestone facade above the street corner entrance, consistent with the Public Works Administration Moderne style of many buildings completed through the PWA of Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal. The PWA was a government-run construction agency created to respond to the Great Depression and aid the public’s recovery. It worked mainly on roads and public buildings, helping to create jobs and improve general welfare in post-depression America.
David H. Jones is the technical director of the BAMA Theatre and a previous member of the Board of the Arts and Humanities Council in Tuscaloosa. He has overseen many renovation projects at the theatre, including the recent marquee renovation that took place in 2017.
The traditional marquee with black lettering over the entrance was replaced with a Digital LED Board. Jones said “the marquee was a much needed update, while still keeping the theatre historic and beautiful.”
While Jones can update the theatre with new lights, sound technology and equipment, it is difficult to propose large scale renovations. The BAMA Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it is protected under the purpose of preservation.
According to Jones, “any refurbishment must be done with the tools and methods originally used, and no structural changes are allowed.” This protects the history of the theatre while allowing for the updates needed for further use.
To Tuscaloosa residents, the BAMA Theatre is a place of celebration of music, dance, theatre, arts, and more. It is the heart of the city’s historic downtown and will remain in the memories of performers and audience members for years to come.