Thalia Mara Hall is ready to reopen its doors after being shut down for nearly six months, pending a stamp of approval from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
During his weekly press briefing held on Monday, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said he expects the downtown venue to be up and running by Friday. Thalia Mara Hall has been shut down since August after mold was discovered inside. The city’s indoor air quality assessment confirmed that microbial activity was present likely due to a faulty heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system as well as roof leaks. Human waste was also found in the balcony area.
Other concerning discoveries included a decades-outdated fire curtain that was riddled with asbestos and a major pipe in need of repair. But successful remediation efforts have been carried out, per officials, and a green light from the state will allow the venue to begin hosting a myriad of entertainment events after a lengthy, and costly, moratorium.
“Outside of the age and deterioration of the building, Thalia Mara has seen its best days in recent years. Right before COVID, it had its best days — its most profitable year in its entire history,” Lumumba said. “We know that after COVID, a lot of our entertainment has been suffering, and so it requires creativity.”
Among Lumumba’s “creative” plans is the potential hiring of a new manager to infuse the entertainment element of the theater with Mississippi’s rich culinary prowess. In an era where attendance, by and large, has dropped at theaters across the country, the mayor is looking for ways to draw the masses to Jackson’s historic venue.
“We’re not only thinking about the entertainment experience, but we’re [also] thinking about the associated experiences along with that. For instance, concessions. There are some missed opportunities in concessions,” Lumumba continued.
“Today, you don’t just get popcorn and nachos when you go to the movie theater. We are a city that has culinary expertise. Just as we deal with the visual arts, we deal with the culinary arts. I’d like to see a Thalia Mara Hall that presents some good Mississippi catfish while you’re enjoying your show.”
As things stand, the only show scheduled to be held at Thalia Mara Hall this year is the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s performance of “The Sleeping Beauty” on March 14, though tickets are not currently available. No official announcement has been made on plans to bring more shows to the theater.
