August 10, 2026
When more than 50,000 people walk through the doors of the Egyptian Theatre each year, their safety is one of our greatest responsibilities.
That’s why we as a nonprofit organization are working on a major series of safety and security improvements to our historic theatre—and why we’ve asked the City of DeKalb to partner with us on the next step.
The Egyptian Theatre has requested $25,000 from the City’s AIP program (Architectural Improvement Program) program to help install crash-rated safety bollards in front of the theatre.
While “crash-rated bollards” might sound complicated, their purpose is simple: help protect people.
Protecting the People Under Our Marquee
Think about the front of the Egyptian Theatre after a sold-out show.
Hundreds of people may be leaving at once. Friends are gathered under the marquee. Families are waiting for rides. Volunteers and staff are saying goodnight to patrons. All of this activity happens just feet away from Second Street.
A security assessment conducted by the DeKalb Police Department identified the front of the theatre as an area where additional protection was needed and recommended crash-rated bollards as a priority safety improvement. The proposed bollards would create a protective barrier between vehicles and the people gathered in front of the theatre.
And this isn’t only about protecting Egyptian Theatre patrons. Our front sidewalk is part of downtown DeKalb. People use it during community festivals, downtown events and throughout their everyday lives.
An investment in safety at the Egyptian Theatre is also an investment in a safer downtown DeKalb.
Why Is the Egyptian Theatre Asking for City Funding?
That’s an important question—and one we’re happy to answer. The Egyptian Theatre isn’t a privately owned entertainment business, it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization owned and operated historic theatre.
Like nonprofits throughout our community, we rely on a combination of earned revenue, donations, grants and partnerships to maintain our facility and fulfill our mission. In fact, we’ve already done a great deal of work to secure outside funding for these safety improvements.
The Egyptian Theatre was awarded a $147,000 Illinois Nonprofit Security Grant through the State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. That funding is helping make several important security and safety improvements possible.
But as the projects moved from estimates to actual bids and construction costs, expenses increased substantially.
That’s the gap we’re asking the City of DeKalb to help us close through its AIP program.
Investing in the Next Generation of the Egyptian Theatre
When people think about preserving a historic theatre, it’s easy to think about plasterwork, murals, seats and marquees. But preservation is also about people.
It’s making sure the building that welcomed generations before us can safely welcome generations after us.
The proposed bollards aren’t the most exciting improvement we’ll ever make to the Egyptian Theatre. Most people will probably walk right past them without giving them much thought. And that’s okay. Because their purpose isn’t to be noticed.
Their purpose is to help protect the thousands of people who gather at the Egyptian Theatre and in downtown DeKalb every year.
As a nonprofit organization entrusted with caring for this historic theatre, we take that responsibility seriously. We’re grateful for the State, City and community partners who continue to work alongside us as we invest in a safer Egyptian Theatre and a safer downtown DeKalb.
