Future

The Albany Community Development Corporation, in partnership with Main Street Albany, the City of Albany, and the Albany R-III School District, plans to restore the historic Rigney Theater building into a community-focused facility that can be used for fine arts programming. 

Through this project, the Rigney will:

• Be restored into a prominent fixture on the downtown Albany Courthouse Square.

• Become a home for the Albany R-III School District's fine arts programs, such as concerts, plays, art shows, receptions, etc.

• Host fine arts programming and entertainment for the community and the region.

• Serve as a central meeting place for the downtown district and Main Street Albany.

• Encourage additional private downtown investment.

Potential Uses

• Art: visiting artists, gallery events, paint party, paint demonstration.

• Auctions: general, silent, white elephant, pop-up.

• Awards ceremony: academic, social, community volunteers, workplace.

• Business functions: conference keynotes, panels, breakout sessions, breakfast briefings, VIP events, strategic planning, retreats, webinars.

• Catered events: cabaret (mix of music/song/dance), drama, comedy, improv.

• Church events.

• Community events: town hall, meeting planning, roasts, roundtable, fundraising, parties, talent shows, walking tours, health and wellness.

• Consumer shows or fairs.

• Conventions or trade shows.

• Dance: dance troupes, ballet, proms, balls, silent disco, local recitals.

• Events: affiliate with Eventbrite, Missouri Arts Council, or regional theaters to acquire performers.

• Games: board game night, kids games, trivia, bridge, poker.

• Government officials: interviews or fireside chats.

• Guest appearances: local university music and theater programs, professors (Northwest Missouri State University, Graceland, North Central Missouri College, Missouri State University).

• Fandoms: video gaming events, geek subculture, Comicon, science fiction, TV series, social games, play for cash, target niche audiences, quiz or trivia teams, virtual reality

• Flash events: pop-up shops or high demand items that trigger impulse buying. 

• Food and drink events: food tastings, multiple course meals, beer and wine tastings, food around the world.

• Hackathon: programmers, designers and digital professionals build a prototype within a time period.

• Historical: talks, presentations, reenactments, role play.

• Immersive theater: follow tight narrative that leads participants through the story with help of actors who always stay in character and setting.

• Literature: book signings, poetry readings, new literature introduction, book launch, children's story time.

• Movie: scheduled showings, film screenings, film festival, student competitions, movies for special occasions.

• Music: choirs, orchestras, bands, battle of the bands, open mic night.

• Networking: professional associations, young professionals, chamber events.

• Political events: debate forums, political party functions, campaign fundraising, rallies.

• Presentations: continuing education, new hire orientation, product launches.

• Productions: national/regional touring events brought to theater.

• School events: children’s programs, dance, theater, plays, musicals, awards night, academic reception, science fair, art displays.

• Sporting functions: awards, seminars, worldwide sporting events, pay per view events, social game watching.

• Social events: masquerade parties, fashion shows, scavenger/treasure hunts, secret events, speed dating.

• Theater: musicals, plays, community theater groups, children's theater productions.

• Venue: weddings, anniversary, reunions, memorials, birthday celebrations.

• Workshops: make/build things, learn new skills.