Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
The marquee is back at the Millbrook Community Players Theatre, restoring a familiar landmark along Main Street after it was destroyed in a windstorm in 2024.
The new sign, recently unveiled, replaces the longtime marquee that had served as both a visual beacon and an announcement board for upcoming productions. Its return marks a milestone for the local nonprofit arts organization, which relies heavily on community support to continue bringing live theater to Millbrook.
For years, the theater’s marquee has welcomed audiences and helped establish the Millbrook Community Players as a staple of local arts and culture. With the updated sign now in place, that tradition continues with a refreshed look and renewed visibility for future shows.
Millbrook Community Players board member Michael Proper said the effort to replace the marquee has been a long journey following extensive storm damage.
“Strong straight-line winds in the spring of 2024 destroyed our sign,” Proper said. “We started the process of repair and replacement in June of 2024 and learned quickly that the damage was too extensive to repair.”
After exploring options with multiple companies, the organization chose to keep the project local, ultimately ordering the new sign from Hamilton Signs in Millbrook in February 2026. Proper said funding the replacement took nearly two years of performances, fundraisers, and special events.
“It has taken us almost two years of doing shows, fundraisers, and specialty appearances such as Elvis and, most recently, the illusionist David Merlin to obtain enough funds for the replacement,” he said.
Proper added that additional fundraising is still underway to complete the project, including new marquee letters and electrical work. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, he said the theater depends on sponsorships, advertising, and ticket sales to fund improvements.
“We are still working toward raising funds for new marquee letters and to pay for the electrical lines to be run,” Proper said. “Being a non-funded 501c3 nonprofit organization has its challenges, and we totally rely on the gracious support of the community.”
Despite those challenges, Proper said the new marquee represents more than just a sign; it is a renewed invitation to the community to engage with local live theater.
“The new sign will help let the community know that we do have live theatre and family-friendly events right here in Millbrook,” he said.
Upcoming productions include “Alice in Wonderland” in July, “The Addams Family” in September, and “Frozen” in November. Tickets and information are available at millbrooktheater.com.
With the marquee glowing once again, the Millbrook Community Players are looking forward to another season of keeping live performance at the heart of the community.
Information and tickets to their shows can be purchased on their website at millbrooktheater.com
