The Nickelodeon Theater, Columbia’s only non-profit art house film theater, was recently awarded the Historic Preservation award for reservation/Restoration by the Historic Columbia Foundation. Michael Baker Jr., Inc., was the architect on the project, and Mashburn Construction was the contractor.

“It is an honor to be given this award, and I am extremely proud of what we will accomplish in the future of reviving cinema in the heart of downtown,” says Andy Smith, Executive Director of the theater.

Phase 1 of the renovation provided space for the first of two theatres, which has world class audio/visual capabilities and includes digital and original methods of projection in order to recreate the film experience as originally viewed. The renovated lobby now houses restrooms, concession space, office, and storage space. Adjacent to the lobby is the projection booth and elevator. The façade of the Main Street entrance was refurbished and includes an upgraded curbside ticket booth.

Located at the rear of the building off a pocket park, the Film Society created the Helen Hill Media Education Center in conjunction with the University of South Carolina. This Media Education Center will help young people learn about media and film literacy.

Phase 2 of the program, for which fundraising is currently underway, will include the renovation of the upstairs lobby and balcony into the primary theatre and create offices for staff. This level of the building will house the larger of the theatres and recreate the feel of a grand Art Deco movie house; the lower level theatre being designed more for a more intimate cinematic experience with top-of-the-line projection.

Nickelodeon Theatre South Carolina’s only nonprofit, art house theater, is a leading Southeastern arts organization engaging our community by providing thought-provoking film programming, offering media education classes and fostering the creation of new work by providing training and support to media artists. Operating out of a 99 seat theater located on the corner of Main and Taylor Streets, adjacent to the Mast General Store. The Nick is home to three film screenings daily and special series with extra showtimes.

(Click here for the full article.)

Our sixth venue visit on 2013′s Conclave Theatre Tour will be to:

COHOES MUSIC HALL
58 Remsen Street, Cohoes, N.Y.
OPENED: November 23, 1874
ARCHITECT: Unknown
STYLE: Italian Renaissance
CAPACITY: 480
WEBSITE: cohoesmusichall.com

The Cohoes Music Hall occupied the second and third floor of a bank building in Cohoes, across the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers from the City of Troy. It hosted a who’s who of vaudeville stars in its heyday. Eva Tanguay (a local girl making her stage debut), Elsie Janis, the Marx Brothers, Buffalo Bill, John L. Sullivan, Lillian Russell, the Four Cohans, Eddie Foy, Jimmy Durante, and Houdini all appeared on its stage.

Between 1874 and 1897, people paid a quarter for a gallery seat. The most expensive ticket was one dollar for a seat in the boxes. Orchestra seats were seventy-five cents. The theatre originally sat around 1,000 patrons. The auditorium was surrounded by “museums,” a term that today would mean sideshows. These included the famed General Tom Thumb.

The theatre was remodeled in 1897, the floor of the auditorium was lowered, a ceiling was built over the stage and the hall was used for community purposes such as dances, travelogs, magic lantern shows, puppet shows, and temperance lectures. The last event at the theatre was a dance given by the Cohoes local of the Team Drivers Union in 1905. The theatre closed in 1905 after the collapse of roof supports. The doors were locked, the windows boarded up and the upper floors were sealed.

The downstairs bank remained open until around 1970. After seventy years, the theatre was scheduled to reopen on November 23, 1974, one hundred years after the theatre opened. But after a short postponement, on March 8th, 1975, the first new show was presented on its stage. Since 2002, the hall has been the home of C-R Productions, who put on shows seasonally.

WHY ARE WE SEEING IT?
A charming town music hall, which continues to serve its community.

Register for the 2013 Conclave Theatre Tour online.

TROY SAVINGS BANK MUSIC HALL
30 Second Street, Troy, N.Y.
OPENED: April 19, 1875
ARCHITECT: George Browne Post
STYLE: Italian Renaissance
CAPACITY: 1,256
WEBSITE: troymusichall.org

Founded in 1823, The Troy Savings Bank operated from smaller banking offices until constructing a new headquarters in 1870. As a gift to the citizens of Troy, the new building included a music hall on the upper floor.

The architect, George Browne Post, was a graduate of the University of New York and studied under Richard Morris Hunt in the mid 1800s, becoming a respected architect in New York City. His preference for the Beaux Arts and French Renaissance styles can be seen in the highly detailed decorations of the building he designed for the bank and the Music Hall.
The building was completed in April 1875 at a final cost of $435,000. The massive six-story edifice dominated the surrounding neighborhood with the top floor Music Hall its crowning glory — 106 feet long, 69 feet wide and a towering 61 feet high.

Originally, granite stairs introduced patrons to the ornate grandeur of the hall. In 1923, structural alterations changed the Second Street main entrance to today’s configuration.Parquet and dress circle seats were, and still are, reached by using the center staircase. Iron staircases on either side guided the way to the upper and lower boxes, the balcony, and the gallery seating areas. Post designed all of the staircases himself and had them constructed by Architectural Iron Works in New York City. The hall’s seating capacity is unchanged from the original configuration at 1,253.

Intricate frescoes, crafted by another New York City firm, G. Garibaldi, decorated the walls about the stage and ceiling. The frescoes above the stage were covered by the addition of a large tracker action organ in October, 1890. Most of the original frescoing is still visible, except for the ceiling, where the replacement of the chandelier in 1930 also involved repair work on the ceiling frescoes. The new frescoes, created in 1930, outlined the rim of the ceiling and exhibited the popular Art Deco styling of the late twenties in the lettering, featuring the names of great classical composers such as J. S. Bach and Haydn.

The first chandelier featured 14,000 hand-cut French prisms catching the light of 260 gas burners. In 1923, it was converted to electric and later replaced by the chandelier in place today. The rest of the lighting was converted to electric in 1929 following an accident in which a gas lamp ignited a ballerina’s headdress. The fire marshal ordered the conversion to avoid further problems.

Throughout the twentieth century, Troy’s industrial dominance declined. As Troy’s wealth faded, so did its ability to support the arts on the scale to which it had become accustomed. The Music Hall faltered.

In 1979, a group of private citizens formed the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Revitalization Committee. With the bank’s support and additional funding from the city, state and county for its administration, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation was born. The 1979-1980 season opened with a performance by the Benny Goodman Band.

Today, the Troy Savings Bank perpetuates its gift to the Troy community through its ongoing restoration and renovation projects. The Hall, which was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989, is in use over 150 days a year, and looks forward to a future fully as bright as its storied past.

The Organ
The organ in the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is the nation’s largest nineteenth-century concert organ in original condition, and, indeed, it is one of the most distinguished surviving examples of a “golden age” in American organ building. It was built in 1882 by the Yonkers firm of J.S. and C.S. Odell, and was originally installed in a New York mansion belonging to millionaire William Belden. It was subsequently purchased by the Troy Savings Bank and moved to the Music Hall in 1890. Apart from routine maintenance, which ceased several years ago, the instrument has remained essentially untouched since its installation and even most of the leather appears to be original. Among connoisseurs of historic American organs, the Music Hall Instrument is widely considered to be one of the most important and many prominent organists have expressed the hope that it will be restored.

WHY ARE WE SEEING IT?
Perfect example of a community music hall of this era.

(Portions of the text & image courtesy of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Notes on the organ by Scott Cantrell.)

AMERICAN THEATRE
289 River St., Troy, N.Y.
OPENED: 1928
ARCHITECT: Unknown
STYLE: Unknown
CAPACITY: 450
WEBSITE: None

An example of a purpose-built movie house, the American opened in 1928 without a stage. Dwarfed by its movie palace neighbors, the American survived through the years playing regular movies through the late sixties. A name change at that time to Cinema Art brought adult fare to the theatre. A few years before it closed as an adult establishment, the owner removed all of the seats and original fabric wall covering and turned the auditorium from an adult movie theater into a retail establishment. It was closed after a raid in 2006, and city has since removed and stored the original canopy marquee, claiming it was unsafe.

WHY ARE WE SEEING IT?
Though not a true movie palace, the American is a fine example of a small theater in a mid-size city and is a survivor. This is the last opportunity to see the space as a single-screen theater, as it has recently been acquired and development plans are in the works to reuse the space.

Register for the 2013 Conclave Theatre Tour online.

WASHINGTON – A treasured area theater that has stood for 90 years just took a step into the future.

Opened in 1923, the Avalon Theatre in Northwest has switched from 35-mm film projectors to digital ones.

Executive Director Bill Oberdorfer said it’s a change they had to make.

“Basically, the studios have decided to stop making 35-mm prints, and have informed theaters that they have to convert to digital to continue exhibiting films. We’ve been told the end of this year (or) early next year is when this actually happens,” says Oberdorfer.

The theater was closed Monday through Wednesday this week for the installation, and on Thursday the very first film shown with the new equipment was a screening of “Star Trek Into Darkness.”

After watching that first screening, Oberdorfer said the visuals looked great.

“I think it’s a little bit better. For us, we upgraded our sound processors too, so I think the sound that we have is also better.”

The theater is a non-profit and the roughly $125,000 needed for the change was raised through individual donations and a fundraiser.

Work is set to begin in June on another new addition: an elevator to the theater on the second floor.

Oberdorfer said they’ve already raised the funds for that project.

During a visit, WTOP took a look at the secret hidden behind the Avalon’s main screen.

Stepping behind a red curtain, you’re taken back in time onto a wooden stage used in the theater’s early days.

“It was a silent screen theater in the ’20s as all theaters were. I think they did some vaudeville kind of stuff here. There’s a stage and there used to be an organ,” said Oberdorfer.

(Click here for the entire article.)

Many of Britain’s now offer audiences the opportunity of back stage tours. But there is one theatre in its capitol that presents a visit which excels—the famous London Palladium.

On one day each month, this stunning Grade 2* listed Frank Matcham designed theatre, opens its doors up to the public who want to explore its ‘living’ history.

Standing on an important theatrical site, the ‘grand old lady’ of Argyll Street is enjoyed by audiences the world over; and for artistes who have appeared on stage there, it has been the highlight of their lives.

For theatre devotees, back stage tours are a ‘must’ for young and old—an experience to be savoured. But just to tread its boards on stage is a privilege and an honour.

When OT visited the theatre at the end of last year, we asked to join a tour to get visitors’ reactions on their experience. Everyone we spoke to described their visit as ‘amazing’ and ‘fantastic’.

The party gathered in the theatre foyer before being welcomed by tour guide, Mark Fox, Advertising Manager of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Company, who explained the history of the site and the construction of Matcham’s theatre in 1910 which retains the façade of an earlier hall of entertainment for Hengler’s Circus, a National Skating Palace and a Corinthian Bazaar.

A mine of information, Mark clearly enjoys being a ‘tour de force’ as, accompanied by his ushers—(some of the great theatre’s former Tiller Girls)—he invited his party to join him in the theatre’s lounge and in the stalls best seats!

The moment to go through the pass door on to the stage was a wonderful highlight as the group stood in awe, seeing the stars first sight of an audience as they walk on to make their first entrance.

(Published by permission from Old Theatres Magazine.)
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OLD THEATRES magazine is recognised as Britain’s most unique magazine for everyone who appreciates the value of our country’s wonderful halls of entertainment and the artistes who have trod their boards. It features ‘lost’ theatres, old theatres which have been restored, stories of artistes’ experiences in them, together with extra information which is not normally obtainable in other theatre publications. Each highly collectable edition contains over 100 rare illustrations and articles about theatres past and present, enabling subscribers to go behind the scenes to see how they operate, and read their histories and hopes for the future.

More details about Britain’s OLD THEATRES magazine can be seen on their web pages www.oldtheatres.co.uk or email OLD THEATRES directly at  oldtheatres@googlemail.com.

New grant sets the stage for historic theatre renovation

MANISTEE — A historic renovation project in Manistee is getting a new financial boost, one that will help wrap up the fundraising campaign.

A grant of $503,592 has been approved by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support the restoration of the Vogue Theatre.

“The renovation of this historic theatre into a vibrant entertainment venue will bring new vitality to downtown Manistee and serve as a catalyst for further positive activity in the community,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “We are pleased to support the efforts of the entire community in restoring the Vogue Theatre and bringing new life to the downtown area.”

The restoration project started in February, 2011, with construction crews starting phase one of the project two years later in February, 2013. Phase one focused on the interior demolition to get ready to pour concrete for new theatre floors.

The MEDC and Historic Vogue Theatre of Manistee (HVTM) nonprofit must now enter into an agreement that establishes terms and conditions of the grant award involving allowable costs, schedules for use of funds and project completion, documentation of other restoration funding and others.

“The restoration and reopening of the Vogue Theatre will be a change agent for the Manistee community and this grant from the MEDC is the catalyst needed to make our vision and reality,” said Cyndy Fuller, Chair of the HVTM Board of Directors. “It is with the profound thanks of an entire community that we express our appreciation to the MEDC and the many staff throughout their organization that support our grant request.” The grant application was developed by the Alliance for Economic Success on behalf of the HVTM.

“This is a wonderful moment for the hundreds of people who have given their time and treasures to bring the Vogue Theatre back to life,” said Vogue volunteer leader Meg Voelker. “The MEDC clearly understood how their grant could leverage great things for art and entertainment while service as the rainmaker to bring businesses and jobs to what will become a bustling downtown Manistee.”

(Click here for the entire article.)

Old Greenbelt Theatre Wins $75K Grant

After receiving a large number of votes in the Partners in Preservation contest, the Greenbelt theater was awarded money for renovations.

The Old Greenbelt Theatre will be able to renovate its art deco lobby, after it was awarded a $75,000 grant from Partners in Preservation.

For nearly a month, the Greenbelt theater competed against other historic places in the DC metro area for the possibility of winning some grant money to help them renovate.

Although they did not take first place, they were still awarded $75,000 after a committee reviewed their needs.

(Click here to read the full coverage from the patch.com. Click here to read the official press release.)

PROCTOR’S THEATRE
82 Fourth Street, Troy, N.Y.
OPENED: 1914
ARCHITECT: Arlard W. Johnson
STYLE: Adamesque
CAPACITY: 2,287 (original)
WEBSITE: troyproctors.com

Today’s Proctor’s Theater in Troy is not as fortunate as its Schenectady namesake, but it is well on its way to a return to glory.

In 1914, F.F. Proctor built the Troy showplace for the kingly sum of $325,000 and was originally named “Proctor’s Fourth Street” to avoid confusion with Proctor’s other theaters in that city. Proctor, who had already built and operated several successful vaudeville theaters in Albany and New York City, hired Arlard Johnson to design the theater, and succeeded in creating his grandest venue since entering the theatrical business nearly three decades before. It was praised as “a structure ranking foremost in American theatrical circles.”

A highly decorative front facade of brick and marble covered in glazed terra-cotta distinguishes the five-story building. On the ground level, rusticated columns rise up to lions’ heads. Five engaged marble columns frame the upper floors, rising to gargoyle-like figures and two towers rise above the roofline at either end of the facade.

Though its interior was ornate, the Adamsesque décor resembled more a late 19th Century opera house than the exotic and extravagant movie palaces of the twenties. Still, its towering proscenium arch was framed by gilded plasterwork, and imported crystal chandeliers hung in the lobby and over the auditorium. Boasting two balconies, the theater is unique in that there are no stairs leading to the upper levels. Patrons negotiate a series of ramps to access the balconies.

The theater billed as “Troy’s Largest Amusement Palace,” was originally home to touring vaudeville productions. It premiered an early film in 1914, Mother’s Penitent, starring Baby Early. In 1917 Fred and Adele Astaire performed what was billed as “new song and distinctive dance,” on Proctor’s stage. By the late twenties, it was used primarily as a movie palace.

The theater performed well through the sixities, but by the early seventies it had turned to adult features. By the mid-seventies it was back to Hollywood fare but was taken by the City of Troy in 1977 in lieu of back taxes and was closed.

Over the years, many groups have tried to gain control of the building to restore and redevelop the property, none of which have been successful.  Finally in late 2011, Columbia Development Companies acquired the building with the help of a $14.4 million public-private project grant (including $3.3 million from the Restore New York Communities Initiative) and launched the restoration. Work began on the office and retail portion of the building.

Today, the restoration work continues to move forward. The theater is still a work in progress and access will be limited to selected areas. However, THS feels that this emerging project is certainly worthy of our attention as a Conclave destination as our presence will generate much needed publicity for the efforts. We ask that our attendees exercise due caution and enjoy this rare opportunity for a “hard hat” tour of the next great New York State rehabilitation project.

WHY ARE WE SEEING IT?
An endangered movie palace, which is listed on the National Register. Derelict but under reclamation. Our visit will assist the preservation group’s efforts to garner attention and support for this project.

Register for the 2013 Conclave Theatre Tour online.
(Portions of the above text are courtesy of Don Rittner and Brian Krefft.)

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Photographer (and THS Member) Matt Lambros  visited Proctor’s Theater last year and documented the current state of the building. Make sure you visit afterthefinalcurtain.net to see what he found.

Follow his work on facebook here.

On vacation in Vietnam, Friends of the Boyd (Philly, PA) volunteer Mike Bencik blogged about attending historic movie theaters there and about Philadelphia’s Boyd on his personal blog.

Thanks to THS Member Howard Haas (Philly, PA) for passing it along!
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Ken Bloom, THS Publications Director, also passed on this link from thestage.co.uk about Andrew Lloyd Webber restoring Drury Lane to its ‘original Georgian splendour.’

Find out more about the 4 million pound renovation.