David Johnson talks about renovations that are needed in the community theater of the Memorial Auditorium.Folding yellow chairs intermingle with hardback wooden chairs from the 1920s. Peeling paint mars the ceiling. Stage upholstery shows the wear of nearly 50 years of service.
This is Chattanooga’s Community Theater, and it has seen better days.
But city officials have kicked off a campaign to resurrect the old theater.
The theater is part of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, and together they once made up the only venue in Chattanooga suitable for everything from high school stage productions to political rallies to professional wrestling.
The auditorium has been renovated twice – the most recent work was completed in 1991 – and is usable despite the advent of newer, bigger competitors. But the theater hasn’t had any touch-ups since 1964 and today is used only for church services.