Royal Restoration
the problem:
Restoring a balcony in a theater that is 90 years old. It is unhealthy, unsafe and unusable. I have heard various theater board members and others talk about what they wanted to do. They never had the money or the resources, so I realized that I could do it. It would be a big undertaking, especially meeting the building codes for a building on National Historic Register, but I was willing to try. The groups that are using this theater has expanded. It includes the local group, the youth group, another acting group from out of town, and various performers. It has also been used as a place for political debates. There is alot of potential for this building and area, just no funds or willing person to undertake it. I may not have the money but I am willing to work to accomplish it.
vital stats:
people impacted:
25,000people involved:
10why it's important:
I have been involved in the theater for many years. I want it to be around for many more. It is showing its age and neglect in more obvious ways. There also needs to be a safe place for the young theater group to meet and the board of directors to hold meetings. I also saw the potential for area community groups to use it. So the balcony that was of no value to the theater could be a resource not only for the theater but also for the community. It is ina community that life revolves around sports. I think there needs to be another option for those who prefer the arts. There needs to be a safe, clean and healthy environment to meet and learn.
the plan of action:
I had to meet with the board of directors to submit my plan. I also had to meet with the architect to make sure that what I was wanting to do would meet with the requirements for a site on the National Historic Register list. I had to test the area for asbestos and lead before any demolition could begin. Like every project there is the unexpected. During all of this a local costume shop went out of business and donated hundreds of costumes to the theater. They were thrown all over the balcony. So before anything else could be done, I had to deal with all the costumes, what to do with them, how to store them, and rethink the balcony layout and functons entirely. When this project is completed it will give a community theater a clean, safe and healthly environments for both adult and young actor groups to meet and rehearse. it will aso be a place for the board of directors to meet and it will be made available to the community as a meeting place. It serves as a storage area for the theater's costumes. It provides the theater with an additional income in room rental and costume rental. It becomes a source for local schools and residents to rent costumes. When the area ia fully finished my involvement will not stop. The project will take on a different form in that of being a resource instead of a liability.
how you can get involved:
Others can help by being willing to assist when asked, either finacially or physically.
