Carrollton Leader > News
Rebirth: Crosspointe and Theatre 166 rebuild after lightning strike collapses roof
By Marthe Stinton, Mstinton@starlocalnews.com
Thunder bolts and lightning proved very frightening for Crosspointe Church and Theatre 166 earlier this year. But what nature aimed to destroy, the community rebuilt. Next month, the theater will host four days of free events as a 'thank you' to residents.
On June 6, a lightning bolt struck the plaza at 2425 Parker Road. The entire building was threatened with collapse because of the extensive damage. Theatre 166 was built by Crosspointe Church to provide a low-cost, high-quality venue for artisans of all disciplines to showcase and experiment with their works while promoting creativity as an essential component of a fully developed life, according to its website.
David Knight, "DNA excelorator" for Crosspointe Church and Theatre 166, said lightning struck the center of the building, causing the roof to collapse and the sides of the building to buckle. Church and theater officials salvaged what they could and, through the help of their landlord, began reconstruction.
"We were able to get in there and save a couple of items like computers, drum kits, amps and things like that," Knight said. "We don't know how long they are going to last because they are electronic, so we are just kind of hoping that it holds out for us."
Knight said insurance covered a lot of the damages, but the theater lost about 30 percent of its equipment.
"We had donations come in, and fortunately our landlord has been amazing," he said. "After all is said and done, we stand to have to pay somewhere between $8,000 and $10,000, depending on what our speaker system looks like. We were able to find really good deals on the things we had before, so trying to replace some of that has been pretty difficult."
Donations are still being accepted, but Knight said the theater and church are looking to the future and are focusing on getting the attention of the community for their reopening.
Starting Oct. 18, the theater will be home to a four-day event showcasing what the theater has to offer.
"We want people to come out and experience the different sides of Theatre 166," Knight said. "Every day we are going to have a different event. On Thursday, Oct. 18, we are going to have an art showcase along with a jazz trio - the Andrea Dawson Band - and that will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m."
On Friday, Oct. 19, Austin-based guitarist Woody Russell will return to allow attendees to see and experience the rock of Theatre 166, but this event is a little different than what would be expected from a church-built theater.
"It's a B.Y.O.B. event," Knight said. "We are right next door to True Spirits Liquor and we have done events with them before where they were co-promoters of the event. There is usually a break in the middle of the concert in the evening, so if you want to go stock up during the break you can."
Yep, bring you own beer, and if that's not enough of a twist on traditional church functions, how about Magic Mike?
"Saturday, Oct. 20, we are going to have the experience the magic of Theatre 166 where we will have a roving magician named Magic Mike - not the other Magic Mike - followed by illusionists David and Kylie Knight."
On Sunday, Oct. 21, Theatre 166 is bringing the event back to what started it off with what Knight said will allow attendees to see the spirit of the theater.
"Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon we will experience the spirit of Theatre 166 as Crosspointe has its gathering," he said. "Then that evening we have experience the heart of Theatre 166 and we have Carolina Star."
If the list of free events isn't enough, the church is partnering with Christian Community Action of Lewisville to help restock its pantry.
"We are looking for boxed dinners and peanut butter," Knight said. "I just hope people come check us out. We want people to see all the aspects we can offer."
For information about any of these events, visit theatre166.com or facebook.com/Theatre166.
On June 6, a lightning bolt struck the plaza at 2425 Parker Road. The entire building was threatened with collapse because of the extensive damage. Theatre 166 was built by Crosspointe Church to provide a low-cost, high-quality venue for artisans of all disciplines to showcase and experiment with their works while promoting creativity as an essential component of a fully developed life, according to its website.
David Knight, "DNA excelorator" for Crosspointe Church and Theatre 166, said lightning struck the center of the building, causing the roof to collapse and the sides of the building to buckle. Church and theater officials salvaged what they could and, through the help of their landlord, began reconstruction.
"We were able to get in there and save a couple of items like computers, drum kits, amps and things like that," Knight said. "We don't know how long they are going to last because they are electronic, so we are just kind of hoping that it holds out for us."
Knight said insurance covered a lot of the damages, but the theater lost about 30 percent of its equipment.
"We had donations come in, and fortunately our landlord has been amazing," he said. "After all is said and done, we stand to have to pay somewhere between $8,000 and $10,000, depending on what our speaker system looks like. We were able to find really good deals on the things we had before, so trying to replace some of that has been pretty difficult."
Donations are still being accepted, but Knight said the theater and church are looking to the future and are focusing on getting the attention of the community for their reopening.
Starting Oct. 18, the theater will be home to a four-day event showcasing what the theater has to offer.
"We want people to come out and experience the different sides of Theatre 166," Knight said. "Every day we are going to have a different event. On Thursday, Oct. 18, we are going to have an art showcase along with a jazz trio - the Andrea Dawson Band - and that will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m."
On Friday, Oct. 19, Austin-based guitarist Woody Russell will return to allow attendees to see and experience the rock of Theatre 166, but this event is a little different than what would be expected from a church-built theater.
"It's a B.Y.O.B. event," Knight said. "We are right next door to True Spirits Liquor and we have done events with them before where they were co-promoters of the event. There is usually a break in the middle of the concert in the evening, so if you want to go stock up during the break you can."
Yep, bring you own beer, and if that's not enough of a twist on traditional church functions, how about Magic Mike?
"Saturday, Oct. 20, we are going to have the experience the magic of Theatre 166 where we will have a roving magician named Magic Mike - not the other Magic Mike - followed by illusionists David and Kylie Knight."
On Sunday, Oct. 21, Theatre 166 is bringing the event back to what started it off with what Knight said will allow attendees to see the spirit of the theater.
"Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon we will experience the spirit of Theatre 166 as Crosspointe has its gathering," he said. "Then that evening we have experience the heart of Theatre 166 and we have Carolina Star."
If the list of free events isn't enough, the church is partnering with Christian Community Action of Lewisville to help restock its pantry.
"We are looking for boxed dinners and peanut butter," Knight said. "I just hope people come check us out. We want people to see all the aspects we can offer."
For information about any of these events, visit theatre166.com or facebook.com/Theatre166.
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