NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A historic theatre at Fisk University was broken into and vandalized over the weekend, according to students at the school.

Fisk student Asante Bates said the discovery was made on the night a fundraiser was meant to be held. Bates said it would have assisted the university’s “extremely underfunded program.”

“This has the potential to completely obliterate our theatre program that our lone professor, Mrs. Persephone Fentress fights to keep alive for us at this small HBCU,” Bates told WSMV4. “I cannot find the words to describe the heartache I am feeling right now.”

Photos show broken and tossed items inside the performing arts center — one of the oldest structures on the university’s campus, according to the Historical Marker Database.

Bates said the vandalism happened sometime between 10 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday. The theatre’s ticket booth, stage sets, backstage dressing rooms, and kitchen were all found damaged Saturday night.

According to Bates, campus security did not involve police because there was “no immediate life in danger.”

A group is expected to survey and clean up the damage around 9 a.m. Sunday morning. Bates said volunteers are encouraged to assist in cleaning efforts.

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