Historic $1 Million Gift Secures Future Leadership at Billings' Premier Theater

A transformative $1 million gift from Hewes and Susan Agnew has just secured the future of downtown Billings' crown jewel performing arts venue.

The generous endowment will permanently fund the Executive Director position at Alberta Bair Theater, ensuring visionary leadership as the historic venue approaches its centennial milestone.

This remarkable donation represents a culmination of five decades of unwavering arts advocacy by the Agnew family.

The contribution stands as the second-largest investment in the theater's history, trailing only the founding Bair family legacy, according to board member Ron Yates.

The couple, who have called Billings home since 1972, have built an impressive philanthropic footprint across the western United States.

Their latest commitment ensures the Alberta Bair Theater will maintain exceptional leadership well into the future.

Executive Director Jan Dietrich describes Hewes Agnew as "the cheerleader for this theater," a testament to his passionate advocacy spanning multiple decades.

Today's Alberta Bair Theater commands respect as the region's premier performing arts destination, featuring professional-grade equipment and 1,390 seats within a single downtown block.

But the theater's journey to prominence required vision, determination, and significant financial commitment from community leaders like the Agnews.

When the family arrived in Montana during the 1970s, the venue operated as the struggling Fox Theatre, having opened its doors in November 1931 at North Broadway and Third Avenue North.

Despite solid architectural bones designed by Robert Reamer — the same visionary behind Old Faithful Inn — the building desperately needed restoration work and substantial funding.

That's precisely where the Agnew family stepped forward to make history.

The theater held special meaning for the family from their earliest days in Billings, including memorable experiences like watching the original 1977 "Star Wars" on the big screen.

Hewes Agnew transformed from honorary figurehead to hands-on leader when organizers approached him about the "Save the Fox" campaign during the early 1980s.

His response was characteristically direct and decisive.

Rather than accepting a ceremonial role, Agnew demanded genuine involvement and responsibility in the theater's resurrection.

Working alongside community champions like Ray Hart and Larry Martin, he assembled the founding board that would ultimately transform the decaying Fox into today's magnificent Alberta Bair Theater.

The renovated venue officially reopened in January 1987 with a performance by Burt Bacharach, marking the beginning of a new era for Billings' cultural landscape.

Agnew served as board president from 1981 through 1998, guiding the institution through its most critical development years.

The family's philanthropic impact extends far beyond the theater, supporting cultural, medical, educational, and civic institutions throughout the region.

Recent improvements have made the Alberta Bair Theater increasingly attractive to performers, with rental shows tripling since the latest renovations.

The venue recently announced an exciting 2024-25 season featuring 21 acts, with additional Broadway productions expected in coming months.

Susan Agnew continues her dedicated service through regular volunteer work at the box office, typically contributing twice weekly to theater operations.

Both Agnews maintain their commitment by attending virtually every performance, from major Broadway productions to intimate community events.

This latest million-dollar investment ensures their legacy of arts leadership will continue inspiring future generations.

The endowment represents more than financial security — it embodies the Agnew family's belief that thriving communities require strong cultural foundations.

As Billings continues growing and evolving, the Alberta Bair Theater stands ready to serve as the city's premier cultural destination, now with guaranteed leadership stability thanks to this transformative gift.