A new chapter in Pembroke: The arts take center stage

By Gail Parsons
Photos by Scott Douglas  Miller

Nestled along the quiet streets of Pembroke, Georgia, a long-forgotten marquee is flickering back to life. Once the center of downtown bustle, the town’s heartbeat has slowed over the decades, storefronts sit empty, and the echoes of community gatherings have grown faint. But now, the historic Tos Theatre is poised to reclaim its place as the soul of Pembroke, promising not just films and performances, but a renewed sense of connection, creativity, and civic pride.

Fernanda Camacho Hauser, Pembroke’s Director of Downtown and Economic Development, has been leading the charge to breathe life back into a town whose downtown had grown dormant over time.

“The goal for downtown isn’t just to bring back commerce,” Fernanda explained. “Every bit of the revitalization we’re building is rooted in our community’s history. At one point, we had to fit three car dealerships downtown. But as generations moved on, the area became quiet. We’re turning that around.”

Fernanda’s approach isn’t just about buildings or budgets; it’s about people. The path to revival, she said, lies in what she calls a “mainstream community approach,” an asset-based development strategy. Instead of focusing solely on what the town lacks, it leverages the resources, connections, and cultural heritage already present.

“We start by asking, what do we already have, and what do people want to see?” she said. “There’s been a lot of interest in theater and movie events downtown. We want something that draws visitors while supporting all our local businesses and becoming a true community hub.”

At the heart of this vision is the historic Tos Theatre, a building whose story is inseparable from Pembroke itself.

A Legacy of Vision and Community

The theater owes its origins to Savino Tos, an Italian immigrant who settled in Claxton in the early 20th century. Savino opened a bakery in 1910, followed by his first movie theater in 1927, and by 1938, he broke ground on the Pembroke Tos Theatre. The theater premiered its first film in April 1939, boasting state-of-the-art seating and a partnership with the neighboring pharmacy that provided concessions for ticket holders. Its two-sided ticket booth, a reflection of the segregation era, stands as a reminder of the town’s complex history.

“Pembroke’s Tos Theatre wasn’t just a film house,” Fernanda said. “It was where the community came together for education, entertainment, and shared experiences.”

The theater closed its doors in the 1970s, leaving a void in the town’s cultural life. In 2001, the City of Pembroke acquired the building and adjacent pharmacy from long-time owner Billy Miles, hoping to one day reopen it. But like many historic preservation efforts in small towns, the project stalled due to national financial pressures and the need to prioritize other community needs.

It wasn’t until 2022 that the project found new momentum, thanks to a collaboration between the City of Pembroke, Downtown Development, and the nonprofit Friends of Tos Theatre. Grants from Fox Gives, the philanthropic arm of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, architectural planning by Savannah-based Lott & Naugle, and construction management from Garbutt Construction finally set the stage for the Tos Theatre’s next chapter.

Reimagining a Community Hub

The vision for the theater extends beyond its walls. Fernanda envisions a space that becomes self-sustaining, a “living, breathing environment” where the city checks in occasionally, but the theater thrives on its own programs and community engagement.

Adjacent storefronts, once home to the senior center, are slated to reopen as commercial spaces, potentially housing restaurants, boutiques, and galleries that complement the theater experience.

Elizabeth Norman, a board member of Friends of Tos Theatre, is equally optimistic about the theater’s role in cultivating local arts.

“We have talented community members whose work is known only locally,” she said. Once the theater is open, it will provide permanent display space for visual arts, opportunities for live theater, spoken word performances, and musical concerts.”

Elizabeth envisions a local theater group emerging, summer camps for kids exploring writing, acting, and set design, and even small-scale film festivals that celebrate rural life.

“Right now, the schools only have a gym with a stage and no lighting,” she notes. “This theater could provide a proper venue for kids who aren’t sports-focused, giving them a chance to shine.”

Arts as an Engine of Community Growth

For Pembroke, the theater is more than bricks and mortar; it is a catalyst for downtown revitalization.

“It’s not just about the shows or the movies,” Fernanda said. “It’s about what happens around it, people shopping, dining, connecting. Downtown comes alive again.”

Beyond restoring a historic building, the Tos Theatre is poised to reshape the cultural landscape of Pembroke. Elizabeth emphasizes that the theater will be more than a venue — it will be a springboard for local talent and creativity.

“We’re hoping local theater groups will emerge here, giving residents a space to perform,” Elizabeth said. “We’ll also have display space for visual arts, which is something Pembroke has never had. Spoken word, music, small festivals—it’s all possible. This theater can provide an outlet for creativity that doesn’t currently exist in our community.”

She imagines a summer theater camp that could change the lives of local youth. For three weeks, kids would explore all aspects of theater—from writing and directing to set design and acting—culminating in performances for the community.

“It’s perfect for kids who aren’t into sports but want to explore the arts,” she explains. “This could give them a sense of purpose and accomplishment that’s unique to performance arts.”

The theater’s impact will ripple through downtown. Fernanda points to empty storefronts along Main Street and sees opportunity.

“Once the theater reopens, these spaces could become restaurants, boutiques, or galleries,” she said. “We’ve seen in other towns that a theater can spark a nightlife, drawing people downtown and creating vibrancy where there was dormancy before.”

She notes that historic tax credits could help entrepreneurs renovate properties, further supporting downtown revitalization.

“It’s not just about the shows. It’s about what happens around them. People come downtown, they shop, they eat, they connect. The theater can be the heart of that revival.”

A Living History

Part of the theater’s magic lies in its past. For Fernanda, who grew up in metro Atlanta before moving to Pembroke, the project has offered a personal connection to local history.

“I’ve been able to collaborate with statewide preservation efforts, digitizing historic newspapers and documenting the stories of our town,” she said. “Walking downtown, you can see history in every corner, and that informs how we revitalize the space responsibly.”

Even before renovations began, the building inspired awe. Fernanda recalls her first visit:

“It was worn and a little rough around the edges, but you could feel the excitement, the energy of all the people who had come through its doors over the years. That’s what makes revitalization so compelling—the history is alive.”

Looking Ahead

With construction underway, the community is invited to stay involved. Fernanda notes biweekly updates on progress and encourages residents to provide input or simply follow the journey. The goal is a theater that not only preserves history but also cultivates creativity, engagement, and economic growth.

Elizabeth is equally optimistic about the broader arts scene. Beyond theater, the facility could host local music performances, small film festivals, and exhibitions of visual arts. She hopes the theater will become a platform for emerging talent across disciplines.

“Right now, Pembroke has limited outlets for the arts,” Elizabeth said. This theater changes that. It gives local artists, performers, and writers a place to share their work, to learn, and to grow. That’s transformative for a small town.”

A Catalyst for Change

For the people of Pembroke, the revival of the Tos Theatre represents more than entertainment—it represents opportunity. From youth programs to downtown revitalization, the theater’s reopening is a statement: the town values creativity, history, and community.

“Every revitalized theater has a ripple effect,” Fernanda said. “It’s not just about what happens on the stage. It’s about how the community grows around it, how downtown thrives, and how residents find new ways to connect.”

Elizabeth sums it up succinctly: “This isn’t just a building. It’s a place for people to gather, create, and celebrate. The arts can transform a town, and we’re hoping that’s exactly what happens here in Pembroke.”

As the lights of the Tos Theatre prepare to shine once more, the story of Pembroke is being rewritten, one performance, one exhibit, and one community event at a time. From a dormant downtown to a vibrant cultural hub, the theater stands as a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and the enduring human desire to gather, create, and celebrate together.