Nuart Theatre undergoes renovations

Your experience at one local theater is going to change after some new renovations. The Nuart Theatre has been in Blackfoot since the 1920s. It was the first place in Idaho to show silent films but now it is all about live performances and, with the help of a local woman, the theater is changing with the times.

Blackfoot native Rhona Wixom has spent more than a year and a half painting walls, ceilings and balconies.

A $30,000 grant from the city of Blackfoot helped pay for the renovations.

“I also completely repainted and fixed all the detail, anything that had been chipped or damaged on the balcony,” she said.

“When people take the time to produce something for our community and they also have a wonderful building I think the community is really going to appreciate that,” Wixom said.

The Blackfoot Community Players purchased the theater for $10 in the 80s. One member said since than many things have changed.

“We have replaced carpeting, restored floors and we have a stage,” said Amy Moser.
Moser said no matter the renovation they have tried to preserve the building’s historical integrity.

“This theater is on the historic building list for the state of Idaho and to find these kind of buildings in this kind of shape is very rare,” said Moser.

Moser also said the Blackfoot Community Players is thinking about showing films at the theater since the city’s movie theater shut down.

The Blackfoot Chamber of Commerce said the theater cost about $120,000 to build.

The next show is called Bendito Rides and it opens Feb. 27. Tickets are $7. If you would like to learn more, click here: http://www.nuarttheatre.org/.