By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

The ongoing Oxford Theater Project recently reached another milestone when a name for the venue was unveiled.

According to Liz Megill, the project manager for the theater project, the name—The Pearl Theatre on Third—is a name that reflects the heart of Oxford, the history of the downtown, and the promise of what will be created there for generations.

A devastating fire on Sept. 13, 2023 destroyed a number of buildings in the historic district of Oxford. One of those buildings was home to an historic theatre that was set to be revitalized.

The buildings affected were mixed-use structures with retail and commercial establishments on the first floor and residential apartments on the floors above. Approximately 90 people in total were displaced. Oxford Fire Chief Jim Booth labeled the fire one of the worst in the borough’s history.

In April of 2022, Oxford Mainstreet, Imc. (OMI) was a recipient of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project Grant in the amount of $2,144,166. This sum of money was a game-changer for the theater project and Oxford as a whole. While the entire project is expected to cost over twice the awarded amount, it was a huge step forward 

Now, the theater project is a reality.

Megill explained, “Besides the 2.1 million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, the Wilson King family donated the property for the project and we are in the beginning stages of civil engineering. We have received generous donations from the Oxford Area Foundation and the James S. Herr Foundation. We have preliminary plans for the project which will seat 275 people for live theatre and movies. We will also have a 50-person black box theater, which is a flexible spot for live performances like comedy shows, poetry reading, private events and for educational purposes.”

Megill had asked the community to come up with a name for the theater that would give it its own identity.

Megill said that, out of all the names suggested, the Pearl seemed most appropriate.

“From resistance and transformation the theater will become something rare and beautiful,” Megill said. “It is a symbol of what is to come in Oxford. It is just like a pearl born from pressure and time that turns into something rare and beautiful and that was the reasoning behind the name.”

At this point, the property is owned by Wilson King, but it will be donated for the theater project and they are very thankful for that.

Megill was hired before the terrible fire. The project was put on hold and OMI reached out to check on the grant and it was still a go. They have also hired a development director, Tachy Banks. She is expected to start in the new year and kick-off the capital campaign.

Megill continued, “We are working with an architect, Rich Gribble from By Design. We are working on the civil engineering. We are also in the process of finalizing the website and logo. We will have more info on that in the coming year.”

She invited the community to follow along on social media to see their progress. People can sign up for the newsletter as well if they would like to get involved at [email protected] or follow Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. on Facebook for announcements and renderings. You can also check The Oxford Theatre Project's Instagram for updates. 

The Theater Board includes Ed Herr, Nancy Sapp, Wilson King, Pauline Garcia-Allen, Leslie Sleesman, Andrew Atkinson, Kathleen Olenjik, Gregory Raphael, Yeda Auten-Arscott and Julie Wehner.

Megill said, “I am really excited to work with all of these amazing people who will give their time and commitment to this project.”

Keep watching for updates and developments. The Pearl Theater is on its way.