That terrible burnt wood smell has finally left downtown. The rains have washed it all away.

The cleaning process has started, both for our beloved Theatre and for ourselves. Shows are being moved to other venues. The building is slowly being cleaned out.

The question on everybody’s mind is whether or not this is the end of the Georgia Theatre. This building has stood since the 1890s and was a YMCA and movie theater before it became the Theatre we all know and love in 1989. Countless thousands of acts have graced its stage, and many bands would not be where they are today were it not for the Theatre. This can’t really be the end, can it?

The universe has an amazing way of bringing things around full circle. The first piece I had published here in Athens was a story for UGAzine on the Georgia Theatre. Now, in my waning hours here at the University, I find myself writing about the Theatre again.

Sadly, it had been a little while since I’d graced the Theatre’s doors. May 7, to be exact, when I saw Shpongle. The experimental psychedelic trip-hop act from the United Kingdom was on a rare jaunt across the pond, and because Athens is the music town it is, I was dancing my tush off right in front of the stage. The brightly colored photo on the front page of this paper was shot that night, arguably one of my best nights shooting ever.

That’s what was magical about the Theatre. Any given night, something random and wonderful was happening inside that big box on Lumpkin. The sound was one of the best in Athens. The house light rig was fantastic, and bigger bands could bring in their own set-up, creating some stellar visual displays. Security wasn’t there to ruin your fun, only to make sure you weren’t ruining anybody else’s.

The first band I saw in Athens was Zoso at the Theatre my freshman year. Since that first show, I’ve been blessed enough to see Jump Little Children, Beck, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Talib Kweli, The Wailers, as well as countless other local and regional touring acts. I bonded with some of my oldest and best friends here in Athens while going to concerts and the occasional “Dark Side of Oz” showing at the Theatre. As a photographer, I cut my teeth shooting the myriad of bands that have graced that stage, being lucky enough to be on stage with them a few times.

In my years of shooting, playing and what has at times felt like living at the Theatre, there is one little detail of my surroundings that has always brought a smile to my face. In prominent, yet hidden, spots, the words “Welcome to the Georgia Theatre. Make Mama Proud” are painted.

I’ve always thought that slogan was a call to do your best, no matter what you’re doing. For the performers and staff members at the Theatre, that could be running lights, taking tickets or rocking the house.

In the wake of this tragedy, that slogan has taken on a different meaning. The Theatre was a mama to all of us, always welcoming, always the same. She was an escape from the outside world, a place where we could all be exactly who we wanted to be. Whenever things have been their toughest, there was always that next kick-ass show at the Theatre right around the corner. Some of the greatest memories of my life happened inside that building, and I know I’m not the only one.

Mama’s hurt, and it’s up to us to help her. It will take more than just one man to rebuild our Theatre. This happened in our time, this is our chance to step up and give back to the place that has given so much to us. This has been a tragic event in the history of our community and our scene.

But destiny has placed this opportunity in our life, the opportunity to stand up, to raise our home out of the ashes, to build her back stronger and sexier than ever. Make Mama proud. Rebuild our Theatre.

- Waites Laseter is the photo editor of The Red& Black.