| |
Renewing our Facilities
The George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Theatre
A major project of the Campaign will be the renovation of
the Musem’s theatre. Designed by Shriver & Holland
Associates of Norfolk, and Hartman Cox Architects of Washington,
D.C., the George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Theatre will provide
the Museum with a beautiful space for lectures, films, and
educational programs, as well as an elegant venue for musical
and theatrical performances. The renovated Theatre will have
a total seating capacity of 385, about 90 seats more than
the current theatre.
Museum Theatre to be Renovated, Expanded
A recent $1.2 million Capital Campaign pledge will allow
the Chrysler Museum to renovate and expand its Theatre. The
improvements will mean more people will be able to attend
Museum events such as lectures in greater comfort. A bigger,
more up-to-date Theatre also will better serve the many community
groups that use it for various kinds of stage
productions.
The Theatre renovation fits in with the Museum's goal of
making the Chrysler "a community gathering place,"
Museum Director William Hennessey said. "Like the Museum
as a whole, the Theatre should be a place where people can
come
to enjoy themselves with friends and family; a place where
they can learn about themselves and their world," he
said.
The Chrysler Museum Theatre was originally built in the 1960s.
"It's had 30-plus years of use, and it looks it,"
Hennessey said. "It's become very dingy." The renovation
will make the following improvements:
- refitted/reupholstered seats
- new carpet, paint decoration, and upgraded lighting
- renovated dressing rooms
- modern stage equipment, including upgraded stage lighting;
and state-of-the-art audio visual facilities, including
a new sound system, video projection, Internet and computer
connections
Hartman-Cox Architects of Washington, D.C., is the firm planning
the renovations, in conjunction with Shriver & Holland
Associates in Norfolk. Hartman-Cox was the firm that designed
major renovations to the entire Museum, including the creation
of Huber Court, in 1989. "The design of the new Theatre
will be carefully coordinated with the style of the rest of
the building," Hennessey said.
In addition to the renovations, the creation of more space
will greatly improve the Theatre. Now, demand for events often
far exceeds capacity of the 289-seat Theatre. Hennessey said
two recent examples include lectures on the Bob Lerner
exhibition and on the American Impressionism exhibition.
"We had more than 100 people who wanted to attend but
could not be accommodated because of the lack of seats,"
he said. The expansion will add three rows to the back of
the theatre, adding 85 seats. To add the rows, a wall leading
into the Theatre vestibule will be removed. As a result, the
shape of the lobby will be changed. "Not only will we
have a larger, more beautiful, and more functional Theatre,"
Hennessey said, "we will gain extra room in the new lobby
for social events." Construction is scheduled to begin
in late 2003 and completed by September 2004.
Hennessey said he hopes an improved Theatre helps send the
message that "museums are not just homes for the visual
arts. We're trying to recapture this ancient notion that museums
are congenial to all the arts, including poetry, theater,
literature, dance, and music."
The Chrysler Museum is one of Hampton Roads' busiest community
performance venues. It is used for much more than Museum-sponsored
lectures, films, concerts and symposia. The Theatre was used
165 times in 2002 for school and public education programs.
It also hosted groups including:
- The Virginia Arts Festival
- The Hermitage Lecture Series
- The Feldman Chamber Music Society
- The Norfolk Society of Arts Lecture Series
- The Governor's School for the Arts.
"Theatre Watch" -- One
Last Look at The Theatre as You Know It...
 |
 |
In the coming months the Chrysler Museum
Theatre will undergo significant renovations. The plans
show a final result that is both stunning and functional,
and ultimately a better reflection of the Museum.
Here is one last look at the current Theatre that has
served us all so well before it is transformed into
the George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Theatre. We look
forward to showing you more of the Campaign's progress
in the future! |
For more information, please contact the Campaign office
by e-mail or
call 757-965-2049.
> back to Projects
list
|
|
