Breckenridge Commons is the name. And, the 1,000 seat performance venue, which is connected to the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library through McGregor Hall, now has an executive director.
Tommy Deadwyler’s first day was Tuesday here in Henderson. He comes from Rincon and Springfield, GA, just outside Savannah. There he helped restart Mars Theatre, which had been dormant for nearly 50 years when the city purchased it, this according to an article published September 2 by the Effingham Herald.
Chairman of the Embassy Cultural Foundation, John Wester, said, “He is as sharp as a tack. He’s reflective in his approach to things. He has operation experience and good ideas. He is management, but he is also technically gifted.”
Mark Hopper is the chair of the operations board of Breckenridge Commons. In speaking about Deadwyler, Hopper said, “He is wonderful. He is exactly what this project needs, exactly what Henderson needs. It is a perfect fit. He could have grown up here.”
The idea for more than 15 years now in Henderson has been for things like Breckenridge Commons, McGregor Hall, the new Perry Library and the new police station to be the centerpiece for downtown growth, community revitalization and a catalyst for economic development, not to mention the performing arts and educational opportunities for local citizens. Now that much of the bricks and mortar is in place, times ahead will show ultimately if this stimulus will have an overall positive effect.
Deadwyler’s previous venue, The Mars Theatre which seats about 230 people, has apparently become a draw for out-of-town visitors. Deadwyler told the Effingham Herald in the article referenced above, “We are turning into a regional venue. Anytime you bring people from out of town into your town, that’s a good thing.”
Hopper said, “There are no delusions that Vance County will be the sole occupants of Breckenridge Commons. It’s a regional facility with a local impact.”
A December/January time frame is reasonable in terms of the opening act. It is apparent that a grand opening is not in the works, however a series of events. Hopper said, “Those events will be of interest to the entire community, from local gospel groups to the North Carolina Symphony.” He emphasized the importance of the events being of interest to everyone here. According to Hopper, Deadwyler gets what life is like in a small town, and he knows what we value.
As to the process of choosing Deadwyler, Wester said, “We started with 30 candidates and picked from two extremely qualified people.”
The opportunity exists to book some big shows too. Not only is Breckenridge Commons all new, but the stage as well as audio, lightening and rigging are all cutting-edge systems.
Millions of dollars have been raised privately to complete the performing arts center phase of this project, 15 years overall in the making.
