Newberry made it happen, and others will be in town Sunday to learn the tricks of making a historic theatre a draw for a small town.

The League of Historic American Theatres will be meeting in Newberry from Sunday through Tuesday to discuss Historic Theatres in Small Communities: Catalysts for Economic Revitalization. The event will be held at the Newberry Opera House and Firehouse Conference Center.

Built in 1881, in the last decade the Newberry Opera House underwent a $6 million renovation that restored it to its former glory and transformed its interior into a state-of-the-art performance facility.

Newberry Opera House Executive Director Deborah Smith says the conference will be attended by people from all over the country and Canada.

The forum, designed for theatre managers and community leaders, focuses on the significant role historic theatres play in attracting visitors, recruiting industry, expanding existing industry and enhancing quality of life in America's small cities and towns.

Managers and staff members of historic theatres, board members and other community leaders and consultants providing feasibility, planning, management and programming services will discuss key aspects in positioning historic theatres as springboards for economic and cultural development in small communities.

Forum participants will discuss best practices and proven strategies for restoring, programming and operating historic theatres in small cities and towns; network with historic theatre managers and community leaders from other small communities across the country. They will also enjoy a reception and tour of the Opera House and downtown Newberry, demonstrating the Opera House's impact on downtown revitalization and community partnerships.

Newberry Opera House Chairman of the Board Dr. James E. Wiseman Jr. and Smith will join staff members, volunteers and other community leaders in presenting the Opera House's case study and facilitating discussions on historic theatre programming and operations in other small communities.

Newberry City Manager Eric Budds, County Administrator Wayne Adams, State Representative Walt McLeod and the state arts council director will join a consortium founder, banker, bond attorney, architects and other theatre consultants in facilitating discussions on the following topics: