Craig Williams, President of the Board of Directors at Family Community Theatre, shows the past and future of the lobby’s facilities CREDIT BEN GODINA
By Ben Godina
The Flag Theatre on Main Street has been owned and operated by the Family Community Theater since 1992. In 1993, FCT began renovations to turn the then movie theater into a stage suited for live theater. While many aspects of the theater have been changed, worked on and painted over, the bathrooms in the lobby have largely stayed the same and untouched since at least 1995.
After renovating the main lobby during the complications of COVID-19, the Board of Directors realized the old bathroom facilities did not meet the standards of the rest of the Flag and, in 2023, began formulating a plan for phase two. In 2024, a bid of just over $100,000 was accepted, and renovation was supposed to begin in February 2025, right after the conclusion of FCT’s Nemo on stage. However, renovations were not able to begin until the beginning of April.
“We’re right now looking forward to patrons, volunteers and actors feeling more comfortable with more privacy,” said Craig Williams, President of the Board of Directors of FCT, about the ongoing renovations to the three bathrooms in the Flag’s main lobby. The nearest to the main doors is the A.D.A. accessible/family restroom, which is receiving all new appliances, toilets, and sinks, new floor tiling, and a new changing station for easy access for families with babies.
The male and female bathrooms are receiving mirror designs with the exception of urinals in the men’s room. The old restrooms only had two usable facilities and one sink, while the new design adds an additional stall to each bathroom and an additional sink. The new layout will also provide more room for easier maneuvering and an overall more comfortable experience. In addition to modernizing the bathrooms themselves, they are also getting a visual overhaul to better match the new lobby’s Art Deco style. While the old posters of previously performed plays and musicals that used to adorn the bathrooms of the Flag had a special charm to them, the new styling will provide a modern interpretation of classic designs that is bound to impress all ages.
The payment of these renovations was a concern for FCT, as they didn’t want to borrow much money to complete the project. However, FCT held a Gala fundraiser at the Cosmosphere last year, and according to Mr. Williams, they were able to raise around one-third of the necessary funds and thus were able to move forward. You may notice some new faces on the mural of characters lining the walls of FCT, as these were options bought at the Gala. Among these new characters painted by Beck Wells are those of Mary Poppins and FCT board Member Mary Kay Dechant. The rest of the money was taken from various grants, loans, and donations, with FCT hoping to raise the money they owe back with another Gala being hosted on August 5.
The renovations are hoping to be done by June 10, nine days before FCT performs “M*A*S*H,” a stage adaptation of the classic movie and TV series, from June 19-22, and in plenty of time for the performances of “Shrek the Musical” in July. Craig Williams eloquently explained the renovations’ hopes and purpose: “Those attending the theatre expect to have attractive and efficient restroom facilities. They want to be able to meet their needs quickly and privately. An inviting and attractive restroom certainly will bring new appreciation and enjoyment to those attending shows at the Flag Theatre.”
