Local Philanthropist Saves Historic Theater to Honor Late Wife's Wishes

Joshua Macer is purchasing the Dixie Theatre to ensure its continued use for community theater and the arts.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Joshua Macer, a local philanthropist and non-profit consultant, is closing on the purchase of the historic Dixie Theatre in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This was the last wish of his late wife Melissa, who was on the board of the ACTS Theatre that previously owned and operated the property. Macer plans to restore the 1940s-era building and expand it to include affordable office space for other non-profit organizations, while also using it as a hub for the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District to showcase the area's rich heritage.

Why it matters

The Dixie Theatre has long been a community hub for the arts in Lake Charles, but its deteriorating condition threatened its future. Macer's purchase and plans to restore and expand the facility will ensure the theater's continued use for community theater and the arts, honoring his late wife's wishes and preserving an important piece of the city's cultural heritage.

The details

The historic Dixie Theatre's neon marquee is long gone, with many of its windows stuccoed over and glass panes missing. To some, the building may appear to be an eyesore, but for Joshua Macer, it represents a piece of his late wife Melissa's heart. Melissa was on the board of ACTS Theatre, the nonprofit that previously owned and operated the property, and it was her last wish for Macer to ensure the preservation of the old Dixie Theatre and secure its continued use for community theater and the arts.

  • Macer is closing on the purchase of the Dixie Theatre property today.
  • Melissa Macer, Joshua's late wife, passed away in August after a long battle with cancer.

The players

Joshua Macer

A local philanthropist and non-profit consultant who is purchasing the Dixie Theatre to fulfill his late wife's wishes.

Melissa Macer

Joshua Macer's late wife, who was on the board of ACTS Theatre and wanted to ensure the preservation of the Dixie Theatre and its continued use for community theater and the arts.

ACTS Theatre

The nonprofit organization that previously owned and operated the Dixie Theatre property.

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What they’re saying

“This was my wife's last wishes. She was on the board for ACTS Theatre and she wanted to ensure not only the preservation of the old Dixie Theatre but take that financial burden off of ACTS to ensure that the building's use will remain for the community perpetually and that community theater and the arts will have a home at that location.”

— Joshua Macer (americanpress.com)

“She wanted to truly see that building shine and to see community theater thrive and grow.”

— Joshua Macer (americanpress.com)

What’s next

Macer plans to steward and remodel the Dixie Theatre property, expanding it to include affordable office space for other nonprofit organizations. He also wants to use the theater as a hub for the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District to showcase the area's rich heritage.

The takeaway

Joshua Macer's purchase and plans to restore the historic Dixie Theatre honor his late wife's wishes and ensure the continued use of the community hub for the arts, preserving an important piece of Lake Charles' cultural legacy.