Dixie Theatre circa 1945
The Dixie Theatre
While my father had "officially" announced his retirement, he was not a man who would ever truly retire. No indeed. In fact, here was yet another challenge to undertake. There had been many in the past: Summer Stock, Regional Theatre, National Tours, Off-Broadway, then finally Broadway and life in New York City. Next came the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre and the birth of the American Regional Theater (eventually LORT), next Heartland Productions and my father's deep commitment to bringing professional theatre to the people of the regions far from metropolitan areas. Then came the Barter Theatre; A full circle for both my parents really, for it was there that they each began their early professional careers. And now, before them, lay the Dixie Theatre with all the challenges and promise that these two veteran artists knew only too well.
In 1993 my father, mother (actress Cleo Holladay) and my sister Dixie, made the decision to purchase the theatre and move to Apalachicola.
After a substantial reconstruction period, the Dixie Theatre's renovation was completed and the theatre re-opened in 1998. The Dixie Theatre is both a Producing and a Presenting House: Producing Professional Equity Productions as well as presenting concert artists as well as touring shows.
In 2004 Dixie Partington took over as Artistic Director and Manager. It continued to operate up until the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. At that point, the theatre closed and, as of March 2025, it has not reopened.
In 1993 my father, mother (actress Cleo Holladay) and my sister Dixie, made the decision to purchase the theatre and move to Apalachicola.
After a substantial reconstruction period, the Dixie Theatre's renovation was completed and the theatre re-opened in 1998. The Dixie Theatre is both a Producing and a Presenting House: Producing Professional Equity Productions as well as presenting concert artists as well as touring shows.
In 2004 Dixie Partington took over as Artistic Director and Manager. It continued to operate up until the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. At that point, the theatre closed and, as of March 2025, it has not reopened.
 The Dixie Theatre as it appeared in 1984. |
 The Dixie Theatre as it appeared in 1994 (with Rex Partington in foreground). |
 Rex Partington proudly stands next to the sign announcing the Re-Creation of the Dixie Theatre. |
Re-Creation Begins
The Recreation of the Dixie Theatre begins with the demolition of what remains were standing of the original building. |
Two pictures of The Dixie Theatre as it appears today.
Rex Partington, Dixie Theatre Producing Artistic Director (1994-2004)
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Dixie Partington, Producing Artistic Director (2004-present)
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