Millbrook Community Players unveil new Main Street marquee after storm damage

The Millbrook Community Players put a familiar Main Street landmark back in place Friday, restoring the marquee that once announced productions and gave the historic theater its public face. For Millbrook, the new sign does more than replace damaged hardware. It gives residents a visible cue that live performance is still active at 5720 Main Street and that the theater’s next run of shows is coming.

The original marquee was destroyed by strong straight-line winds in the spring of 2024, and board member Michael Proper said the damage was too extensive for a simple repair. The theater began the replacement process in June 2024, then spent nearly two years raising money through ticket sales, fundraisers and special appearances before it could order the new sign from Hamilton Signs in Millbrook in February 2026. Proper said the group also staged fundraising appearances featuring Elvis and illusionist David Merlin to help close the gap.

The work is not finished. Proper said additional money is still needed for new marquee letters and electrical lines, a reminder that the unveiling marked a milestone rather than the end of the project. That financial grind reflects how the Millbrook Community Players operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, relying heavily on sponsorships, advertising and ticket sales to keep performances going and maintain the building that houses them.

The organization, identified on its website as Millbrook Community Players, Inc., EST 2006, has deep roots in the city’s civic life. It was formed in 2006 and first moved into the old Robinson School after being temporarily housed in a church. A 2023 visitor guide describes the venue as the historic and refurbished Robinson Springs Elementary School, built in the 1920s. The marquee now sits as part of that larger preservation story, linking the building’s past to its current role on Main Street.

The return of the sign also points toward an active 2026 season. A March fundraiser, promoted as a pancake breakfast for Peter Cottontail, was tied to needed audio and lighting upgrades for Alice in Wonderland in July, The Addams Family in September and Disney’s Frozen in November. With those productions ahead, the marquee is once again doing what it was meant to do: helping Millbrook see what is playing, and reminding Autauga County that local arts still have a home downtown.