A Brand New Theatre for Heartland
Same Place - Different Space
In the summer of 2007, Heartland Theatre Company expanded its audience seating from 68 seats to 87, while improving everyone’s visual connection to the action on stage, and still maintain the same level of intimacy. This renovation, including demolition and remodeling of Heartland’s theatre space, took three months to complete. Many thanks to the teams that helped to get us to this point.
The theatre was torn apart and a brand new theatre space was constructed, with completion of September 9, 2007. Download a floor plan to see the new theatre layout.
The cost for renovation was funded 100% by patrons who want to impact Heartland's future. This project would not have been possible without the generous support of our contributors. Please download the complete list of contributors. If you would like to join this list, please download a pledge card and mail it in today. Additional costs for enhancement of the theatre are still accumulating.
To learn more about the capitol campaign and the new theatre space, please download our fact sheet.
- The demolition took two days and was overseen by Michael Pullin. Much of the wood from the risers was saved and used to construct much-needed shelving for props and furniture in the basement storage area.
- The Town of Normal and Reed Electric came in to revise piping and reroute electric to where it was now needed.
- Then the empty space was cleaned and professionally painted flat black, including the ceiling which had always been white.
- Big bright work lights were installed to help with the renovation and for rehearsal lighting once the theatre was completed.
- Next, a new lighting grid of black metal piping was installed as close to the ceiling as possible to give a higher perspective for lighting and to enhance the large wood beams left in their natural red-tone.
- Then the Actor walk-ways, creating side walls for the audience section, the lighting booth (moved to the corner) and the stage were built and painted.
- Carpeting, according to our color scheme, was delivered and installed by Certified Installations in St. Louis, MO through our past president Steve Spencer, who is employed by State Farm. $7,500 carpeting and installation was 100% donated by Certified.
- Platforming from BMI was delivered and installed by project manager Joe White and a team of assistants. Slight adjustments were made to the floor plan. Next, railings (OSHA approved) arrived for installation.
- Brand new chairs upholstered in red "celebration" design upholstery were delivered in two types: one with arms and back support for the majority of the audience section, and another wider style without arms for easy access for those needing special assistance in the first rows.
- House lighting using amber globes over the audience and floor lighting in between steps were installed by Joe White, Jesse Folks and Shannon O'Donnell.
- New black velvet curtains were recycled from a stage curtain donated from ISU and sewn for the vomitories in the space.
- Entrance draping was created and hung by Gail Dobbins using burgundy and red velvet material donated by Bernie Works from the University of Illinois Theatre Department.
- The entrance into the theatre was remodeled with new black bulletin boards and new paint.
- On September 9, a soft opening for major contributors took place to inaugurate the new theatre. The Artistic Director, Mike Dobbins, chose special plays and actors to represent the past 10 years at Heartland to read in front of a large projection screen displaying their role from actual production photos. See Program.
- On October 4th and 5th, Heartland opened its first show in the new theatre to sold-out audiences. "Wrong Turn at Lungfish" was dedicated to our campaign leader, Pat Groves, who spoke to contributors during pre-show on October 5th and joined the audience for a reception after the play. The reception was sponsored by an anonymous couple, loyal patrons of Heartland.
See Pictures of the demolition and rebuilding process.
- Heartland Theatre Revitalization Team:
- Mike Dobbins - Chairman
- Michael Pullin - Foreman
- Joe White - Project Management Specialist
- Jesse Folks - Lighting Specialist
- Bernadette Brennan – Concept/Design
- Steven C. Spencer - Carpeting Consultant
- Gail Dobbins - Esthetics/Interior Design
- The Bristow brothers, Neil Pitstick, Matthew Harter - Construction Crew
- Jesse Folks, Shannon O’Donnell, Bruce/Diane Boeck, David Rutledge - Volunteers
- Dan Browder, Lee Pierce Designs - Theatre Lighting Electrician and Painter
- John Reed, Reed Electric – Electrician
- BMI Staging Concepts – Platforming
- Widmer’s Interiors - Chairs
- The Town of Normal
- "Everyone Plays a Part" Fund Development Committee:
- Patricia Groves - Chairman
Paul J. Baker
Gail Dobbins
Shannon O'Donnell
Brian Simpson
Madonna Wilkins
(All downloads are in PDF format. To get a free PDF reader please go to Adobe.com.) |
