Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts

Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts is a historic theatre and performing arts center in downtown Hammond, Louisiana. The building opened on September 1, 1928, during the period when Hammond Junior College became Southeastern Louisiana College, the predecessor of Southeastern Louisiana University. It was originally designed as a commercial movie and entertainment venue, presenting motion pictures, vaudeville, and local theatrical productions. At the time of its opening, it was Hammond's largest theatre and was notable for introducing the city's first theatre organ and first talking pictures. During the Great Depression and the Second World War era, the Columbia served as a central entertainment venue for Hammond. Its role changed as the downtown commercial district weakened in the postwar decades. By the 1950s and 1960s, the facility required substantial renovation, while the rise of suburban development and regional shopping malls reduced the prominence of downtown venues. A late-1970s effort by businessman Wiley Sharp to remodel and reopen the building could not overcome the scale of the work required. By the early 1980s, the theatre was vacant and deteriorating, with roof leaks and termite damage. The building's survival was uncertain in the early 1990s, when a local proposal suggested demolishing it and replacing it with a parking lot. Preservation advocates instead organized a campaign involving Hammond's Downtown Development District, Southeastern Louisiana University, local officials, civic leaders, and arts advocates. Marguerite Walter, director of the Hammond Downtown Development District, worked with Harriet Vogt, director of Southeastern's Fanfare program, to obtain advice from the League of Historic American Theatres. The League's representative, Killis Almond, concluded that the theatre could and should be saved, but warned that the failing roof made immediate action necessary. The preservation group established the Columbia as a nonprofit organization and pursued public and private support. State Representative Bob Livingston and State Senator John Hainkel assisted with the effort, while Walter obtained state capital-outlay grants beginning with funding to repair the roof. The City of Hammond supported the project by leasing the building and providing insurance coverage. In 1994, First Guaranty Bank, then the owner, offered to donate the structure to the Downtown Development District on the condition that it be restored as a performance venue. A restoration study and renovation plans were prepared by Holly and Smith Architects. The Downtown Development District, the City of Hammond, and Southeastern Louisiana University then assembled approximately $4.9 million in state capital-outlay support. The restoration program also acquired the adjacent former J. C. Penney building for dressing rooms, rehearsal areas, and administrative offices. Additional expansion and loading access were made possible when H. P. Forbes donated part of the former Firestone Tire building, with federal support arranged to purchase and renovate the remainder. After restoration was completed in spring 2001, ownership passed from the Downtown Development District to Southeastern Louisiana University. The Columbia reopened as a performing arts center in 2002. Its principal auditorium seats approximately 830 people, and the complex also includes a smaller venue known as the Studio Theatre. Programming encompasses theatre, concerts, dance, and other cultural events, combining university-related activity with community participation. Since 2020, the theatre has increasingly used a self-produce model in which local participants help develop productions through auditions, creative-team formation, set and costume design, rehearsals, and performance. This approach has positioned the Columbia as both a presenting venue and a platform for area performers, technicians, businesses, and volunteers. The theatre is widely regarded as a landmark and cultural anchor of downtown Hammond.

The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts opened in downtown Hammond on September 1, 1928. Its opening coincided with the transition of Hammond Junior College into Southeastern Louisiana College, although the theatre itself began as a commercial entertainment venue rather than as a university facility. The original programme centered on motion pictures, vaudeville, and local theatre. The building was Hammond's largest theatre and introduced several notable entertainment technologies to the city, including its first theatre organ and first talking pictures. The Columbia remained an important social and entertainment site through the Depression and wartime years of the 1930s and 1940s. Its fortunes declined in the following decades. By the 1950s and 1960s, the building needed modernization, while suburban subdivisions and regional shopping malls drew commercial activity away from downtown Hammond. Businessman Wiley Sharp attempted to renovate and reopen the theatre in the late 1970s, but the project proved too extensive for one person to complete. During the early 1980s, the building stood empty and suffered from leaks and termite infestation. The theatre faced possible demolition in the early 1990s. A delegation of local citizens considered removing the deteriorated structure and using the site for parking. A separate preservation effort was led by Marguerite Walter of the Hammond Downtown Development District, working with Harriet Vogt, who directed the Fanfare program at Southeastern Louisiana University. Vogt helped bring the university into the League of Historic American Theatres, whose preservation expertise informed the local campaign. League representative Killis Almond visited Hammond and advised the group that the Columbia was worth saving, while emphasizing that the compromised roof required urgent intervention. Walter, Vogt, and local attorney Rodney Cashe worked to establish the Columbia as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The campaign sought assistance from state officials, including Representative Bob Livingston and Senator John Hainkel. Walter successfully applied for state capital-outlay support, initially securing money to address the roof. The City of Hammond contributed by leasing the building and providing insurance coverage. In 1994, First Guaranty Bank owned the property and offered to donate it to the Downtown Development District, provided that the building was restored and returned to use as a performance space. Holly and Smith Architects prepared a restoration study and renovation designs. Hainkel subsequently helped connect the project with Southeastern Louisiana University leadership, including President Sally Clausen, and with First Guaranty Bank representative Stan Dameron. The Downtown Development District, the City of Hammond, and the university assembled approximately $4.9 million in capital-outlay funding. The program included acquisition of the neighboring former J. C. Penney building, which was adapted for dressing rooms, rehearsal areas, and offices. The project also required changes to the theatre's surrounding properties. Retired Judge Leon Ford approached H. P. Forbes, owner of the former Firestone Tire building on the east side of the Columbia. Forbes donated part of that property, while Livingston helped secure a federal grant to acquire and renovate the remainder. These additions allowed the restored complex to improve its lobby and obtain loading-dock access. Restoration was completed in spring 2001, when Southeastern Louisiana University received ownership from the Downtown Development District. In 2002, the Columbia reopened as a performing arts center. The principal auditorium seats approximately 830 people, and the facility includes a smaller Studio Theatre. Its activities include theatrical productions, concerts, dance events, and other arts programming. The Columbia operates as a university-associated cultural institution while retaining a strong local identity. Since 2020, its self-produce model has involved community members, business owners, actors, designers, and other participants in the development and delivery of productions. Through this model, the theatre functions not only as a presenter but also as a production platform for Hammond and the surrounding region.

• 2020

  Self-produced community programming is implemented

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The theatre adopts a self-produce model that gives community participants a role in auditions, creative staffing, design, rehearsals, and production.

• 2002

  The restored theatre reopens as a performing arts center

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The Columbia resumes operations with theatre, concert, and dance programming and adds the Studio Theatre as a smaller performance space.

• 2001

  Restoration is completed and university ownership begins

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  A multimillion-dollar restoration, including improvements to nearby support buildings, is completed. Southeastern Louisiana University receives ownership from the Downtown Development District.

• 1994

  First Guaranty Bank offers the building for preservation

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The building's owner offers to donate it to the Downtown Development District on the condition that it be restored as a performance venue.

• 1991

  Local preservation campaign begins

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  As demolition and conversion to a parking lot are considered, local preservationists led by Marguerite Walter and Harriet Vogt organize to save the deteriorated theatre.

• 1978

  A private reopening effort is attempted

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Businessman Wiley Sharp undertakes an effort to remodel and reopen the theatre, but the scale of the work prevents the project from being completed.

• 1930

  The Columbia becomes a major Depression-era entertainment venue

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  During the Depression and the subsequent war years, the theatre serves as a principal entertainment center for Hammond.

• 1928

  The theatre opens in downtown Hammond

  [1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The Columbia opens on September 1 as a venue for films, vaudeville, and local theatrical productions. It is Hammond's largest theatre and introduces the city's first theatre organ and talking pictures.

A restored historic downtown theatre and community-oriented performing arts center operated in association with Southeastern Louisiana University, combining professional presentation, university activity, and locally produced productions.

• Performing arts venue · 1928

  Main Theatre

  The principal auditorium of the Columbia Theatre complex, with seating for approximately 830 people. It supports the venue's larger theatrical, musical, dance, and community performances and serves as the primary public-facing space in the restored historic building.

• Smaller performance venue · 2002

  The Studio Theatre

  A smaller concert and performance space within the Columbia Theatre complex. The Studio Theatre provides an additional setting for more intimate programs and complements the capacity and format of the main auditorium.

• Community performing arts program · 2020

  Self-Produced Community Productions

  A production model in which community members, local business owners, actors, designers, and other participants help create productions. Activities can include auditions, creative-team selection, set and costume design, rehearsal planning, and performance.

• 1994Public-private restoration and funding campaign

  Louisiana · United States

  The Downtown Development District, City of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University, state officials, First Guaranty Bank, and federal and state funding partners coordinated a restoration program. The effort extended beyond the theatre itself to adjacent buildings needed for rehearsal, dressing, office, lobby, and loading functions.

  Outcome. Approximately $4.9 million in state capital-outlay support was secured, restoration was completed in spring 2001, and the venue reopened as a performing arts center in 2002.

  Source
• 1991Save the Columbia preservation campaign

  Hammond, Louisiana

  Local civic and arts advocates organized to prevent the abandoned, deteriorating theatre from being demolished for a parking lot. The campaign brought together the Hammond Downtown Development District, Southeastern Louisiana University, the League of Historic American Theatres, local officials, and community supporters.

  Outcome. The preservation effort succeeded, leading to nonprofit organization, public funding, restoration, and eventual university ownership.

  Source

• 2020

  Adopt a self-produce modelStrategy

  Background

  The theatre sought to deepen its relationship with Hammond and the surrounding communities by involving local participants directly in production development.

  Action taken

  The Columbia began producing projects through community auditions and locally assembled creative teams, with participants contributing to design, costumes, rehearsal schedules, and performance.

  Aftermath

  The model was reported as successful and continued to expand, strengthening the theatre's role as a platform for local talent.

  Source

• 1994

  Convert the historic building back into a performance venueStrategy

  Background

  First Guaranty Bank offered to donate the structure to the Downtown Development District if it would be restored for performances rather than used for another purpose.

  Action taken

  The Downtown Development District commissioned a restoration study, while public and university partners assembled funding and planned supporting spaces in adjacent properties.

  Aftermath

  The completed project created a modern performing arts complex while preserving the historic theatre's central auditorium.

  State capital-outlay support for restoration and related property acquisition. $4.9 million (Restoration program, 1990s)

  Source

• 1991

  Preserve the theatre rather than replace it with parkingStrategy

  Background

  The vacant Columbia was suffering from major deterioration, including roof leaks and termite damage, while downtown Hammond faced pressure from suburban development and declining commercial activity.

  Action taken

  Local preservation leaders formed a nonprofit effort, sought historic-theatre expertise, pursued grants, and built a coalition involving the city, university, Downtown Development District, and state officials.

  Aftermath

  The building was saved, restored, transferred to Southeastern Louisiana University, and returned to public cultural use.

  Source

• 2020

  Columbia Theatre expands community self-production model[1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The theatre introduced or formalized a self-produce approach involving community auditions, creative teams, rehearsal planning, and local set and costume work.

• 2002

  Columbia Theatre opens as a performing arts center after restoration[1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following a major preservation and renovation program, the Columbia Theatre began operating as a performing arts center with theatre, concert, and dance programming.

• 2001

  Southeastern Louisiana University receives ownership after restoration[1]Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  After restoration work was completed, ownership of the Columbia Theatre passed from the Hammond Downtown Development District to Southeastern Louisiana University.

1. 1Columbia Theatre for the Performing Artsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts official information pagewww2.southeastern.edu