Historical Landmark

• Your local government has the authority to declare any building an historical landmark. There may be forms to fill out and meetings to attend, but saving an old theater from demolition can be much easier if the local government declares it an historical landmark. The League of Historic American Theatres has a library of online resources you can use to learn how to save your local theater and get it declared an historical landmark. As such, the theater would be entitled to apply for grant money from the federal government and private corporations that can be used as restoration and operating funds.
  
  

Private Purchase

• If at all possible, you should first consider purchasing the theater. You can gather up the people in your community that have the financial resources necessary to purchase an old theater, and then create a board of directors dedicated to restoring and reviving the theater.
  
  When you are considering a purchase, you will need to get a complete listing from the local zoning board on what needs to be done to the theater to bring it up to code and allow people to safely use it again. Once you have that list you can solicit estimates from contractors. Consider offering sponsorships to people who donate money, or their time, to help bring the theater back to life.
  
  

Publicity

• Public opinion can be used to help persuade a developer to invest in a theater, or a government to declare a theater a historic landmark or convince an entire community to mobilize to save a theater. Work to get the cause into the media as much as possible. Create press releases and a website dedicated to preserving the theater. If you can get local businesses involved then they can start spreading the word as well. Once you have a consensus of people backing your cause, you can save an historic theater from the wrecking ball.