In the late 1970s, the Saenger Theatre was on the brink of being razed. a citizens’ effort to save the historic landmark — and the Morton Theatre Organ housed within her walls — by convincing the City of Pensacola to take ownership of the building.
Friends of the Saenger
This led to the creation of the Saenger Management Board, formed to manage the day-to-day operations of the theatre. The theatre’s sad state meant a massive renovation was necessary, and the Friends of the Saenger, Inc. (FOS) was established on March 17, 1980, to raise the needed funds. Through the joint efforts of the City of Pensacola, FOS, and the University of West Florida, the theatre was restored to its standing as a center for the performing arts. The restoration project took four years and 1.6 million dollars to complete, but in 1981 the theatre reopened and today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In October 1987, the City of Pensacola contracted with Ogden Facility Management, Inc. to manage the theatre, and the Saenger Management Board was dissolved. But the Friends of the Saenger, Inc. remained, and in June 1992, the Friends donated $50,000 as seed money toward the renovation of the theatre lobby. Active fundraising efforts resumed, and FOS raised much of the money to complete the renovations, which included doubling the size of the lobby and providing better accommodations for persons with disabilities.
After this, FOS continued to raise funds for the Theatre and purchased several items for capital improvement, including a new sound system, carpeting, and a projector.
Multi-Million Dollar Improvements
In January 2004, an independent committee formed to explore the possibility of enlarging the theatre’s stage and improving the dressing room areas. This launched another multi-million dollar campaign to assist the Saenger. The Friends of the Saenger pledged to raise $1,000,000 toward this goal (immediately donating $100,000 as seed money), and the rest was provided by the City of Pensacola. The theatre was closed in June 2007 and reopened in March 2009 as a state-of-the-art facility boasting 20,000 square feet of dressing room space and a theatre hall with new, larger seats, and a historically accurate paint job!
Additionally, the Friends of the Saenger sponsor a “Broadway Series” each year which brings over 10,000 people to the theatre. At these Broadway shows, members of FOS enjoy benefits such as a private intermission reception and free parking at the nearby Intendencia Street garage.
Sherri Hemminghaus Children’s Fund
In 2008, local businessman R. Clark Thompson helped establish the Sherri Hemminghaus Children’s Fund, honoring Sherri Hemminghaus-Weeks in recognition of her 25 years of dedication to the Saenger. This fund is specifically created to provide underprivileged children, such as those from low-income families or foster care systems, with an opportunity to experience the theatre. The fund provides local kids’ groups with free tickets to selected cultural events at the Saenger. Since the fund’s creation, it has succeeded in bringing local children to Broadway shows, symphony concerts, and ballet performances. FOS continues to raise money for and administer this fund. In 2012, FOS raised $350,000 to restore one-half of the Saenger Pipe Organ – the North Chamber, which is where the majority of the organ pipes live. Since then the organ has played an important part in symphonies, choral presentations, movie showings, and the opening act to many shows and events. FOS is currently raising the funds needed to restore the South Chamber to make the organ complete again.
Saenger Theatre 100th Anniversary
In 2025, Friends of the Saenger and Saenger Management hosted a celebration of the Saenger Theatre’s 100th Anniversary with a ribbon cutting, open house, guided tours, and a birthday cake on April 2, 2025, the centenary of her Grand Opening in 1925. On May 24, Palafox Street was closed for a birthday party co-hosted by Friends of the Saenger and Saenger Management. Events included street performers, food trucks, concessions, and a “Main Stage” with performances by Ballet Pensacola, Pensacola Opera, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Civic Band, and other local music and dance groups. The Saenger also offered two screenings of the 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera with a pre-movie concert by organist Alex Gartner on the restored Saenger Pipe Organ.
Join Our Quest
The Friends of the Saenger has always been and continues to be a completely volunteer-run organization. We keep our expenses to a minimum so that the majority of funds raised are put directly into capital improvements for the historic Saenger Theatre. We hope that you will become a member of FOS and support our quest to keep the Saenger beautiful and accessible to all!