By Norma Adams-Wade
Powerful singing, dance numbers, spoken word, emotional tears, and expressions of gratitude were standout moments at opening night for the “Grand Return” of Forest Theater — long a beloved landmark with locked doors and now a revived and celebrated centerpiece welcomed back home to “Sunny South Dallas” just south of downtown Dallas.
Powerful government, business, community, and faith leaders joined everyday citizens for the dazzling evening that featured inside and outside celebrations and the touted relighting of the theater tower and marquee that had not beamed its lights in more than 50 years.
When Elizabeth Wattley took to the stage at the opening ceremony in the theater’s main auditorium, the uniformly dressed-in-black audience stood and cheered. Wattley, of course, is president and CEO of Forest Forward, the nonprofit she founded in 2020 with the vision and determination to reopen the iconic theater and return it as a community drawing card that would attract people from far and wide.
But more than a theater, Wattley, a Dallas native, is successfully realizing her goal of also revitalizing the surrounding community with improved housing, educational programs, and quality of life advancements.
The hundreds of people who enthusiastically lined the streets outside and toured the upgraded building inside demonstrated that Wattley’s successful endeavors has not gone unnoticed and were appreciated.
Wattley’s opening words, deep exhale, and visible touched feelings said it all.
“What a day!” the business wizard stated warmly. She then began thanking her staff, board of directors, and the many supporters and donors who helped make the reopening possible. “This is your moment of gratitude.”
Throughout her remarks, Wattley called different individuals to the stage who had made an impact and announced future honors and awards that will bear their names.
At one point, recalling the grueling and agonizing journey that led to the theater’s successful rebirth, Wattley comments: “If these walls could talk!”
Wattley and her staff had put together filmed vignettes of history about the theater and surrounding community and demonstrations of technical achievements that production equipment would bring to future events. One brief film, purported to be the voice of the theater speaking to the assembled audience and public, said this:
“To sunny South Dallas, thank you for bringing me home,” the voice stated. “I was hoping someone would remember what I used to be. …You refused to let the world forget who I am.”
Other backers of the theater’s revitalization project reminded the audience and general public that their financial support of the Forest Forward nonprofit will help keep theater operations moving forward and will be greatly appreciated. To learn more and offer financial support, the public was instructed to text “Forest” to phone number 469-310-1257.
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