08/07/2025
The Faces Behind The Alice Theatre
In 2021, Robert and Mandi McKinzie purchased the old Nichols building with a vision: to bring it back to life. After three years of hard work and restoration, The Alice Theatre reopened its doors in May 2024. Today, you’ll find Robert and Mandi everywhere — serving as the mechanics, cleaning crew, hosts, and everything in between.
Their daughter, Ashton Watkins, joined the team as Operations Manager. She handles all social media & marketing as well as event bookings and rentals. You’ll often see her entire family alongside her. Whether it’s her daughter Eleanor singing on stage, her son Garrison running through the halls, or her husband Aaron MCing a game show — it’s truly a family affair.
Uri Haynes came on board as our audio/visual lead, and since then, the stage has never looked or sounded better. Whether he’s working with multi-piece bands or running multi-part talent shows, Uri ensures every event runs smoothly. You may also spot his girlfriend, Jamie, lending a hand — whether she’s sitting at the music stand or helping clean up after events.
While The Alice Theatre may host big events, at our core, we’re a small, family-owned and operated business — passionate about creating memorable moments for our community.
