July 29, 2025
At the Egyptian Theatre, our commitment to preserving history is matched only by our drive to keep evolving for the future. Last week, five members of our full-time staff had the incredible opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh, PA to attend the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) Annual Conference—an inspiring and energizing gathering of professionals who live and breathe historic theatre preservation and innovation.
Thanks in large part to funding from the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership’s (DCNP) Professional Development MicroGrant Program, we were able to send such a significant portion of our team. We are incredibly grateful for the support that made this enriching experience possible.
During the conference, our staff participated in multiple learning sessions focused on everything from marketing strategies and patron engagement to operations, fundraising, and volunteer management. These workshops not only provided valuable insight into industry trends and tools, but also gave our staff the chance to reflect on our own practices and return with fresh ideas to apply right here in DeKalb.
One of the standout moments for our team was seeing our own Executive Director, Alex Nerad, and Technical Director, Alejandro Treccani, take the stage to lead a session on recruiting and retaining a quality tech crew—a critical piece of the puzzle for any successful theatre. Their presentation was well-received and sparked meaningful discussion among attendees, shining a national spotlight on the talent and leadership that continues to grow here at the Egyptian Theatre.
Beyond the sessions, the conference offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tour stunning historic theatres throughout Pittsburgh, soaking in the rich architecture, imaginative programming, and shared commitment to community engagement. These behind-the-scenes tours helped reinforce that while every historic theatre has its own unique personality, we are all united by a passion to keep these cultural landmarks thriving for future generations.
Opportunities like this conference are more than just professional development—they are investments in the future of our theatre and our community. They allow us to continue learning, growing, and refining how we operate so we can better serve our patrons, our partners, and our region.
As a nonprofit owned and operated theatre, we take our responsibility to our community seriously. Experiences like LHAT remind us that we are part of a larger story—one that values history, creativity, and connection—and we’re proud to bring back new ideas, renewed energy, and strengthened relationships that will benefit our work here in DeKalb.
We look forward to sharing what we’ve learned and continuing to raise the curtain on even more meaningful experiences for our community. Thank you to the DCNP for helping make this possible and to the LHAT team for hosting such a memorable conference!
