See Inside: Theatre Memphis' $5.8M renovation makes its debut
Corey Davis
Memphis Business Journal
Theatre Memphis is ready to showcase its $5.8 million expansion and renovation project.
Randall Hartzog, director of marketing and communications for Theatre Memphis, said the funding for the renovations came via the nonprofit's Shine On capital and endowment campaign. Theatre Memphis' goal is to raise $10 million. So far, $8 million has been raised, and they hope to raise the remaining $2 million by the end of the year.
Hartzog said the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t impact the cost of the project or slow construction. Even before the pandemic hit in March, Theatre Memphis had planned to be closed from January through August for the renovations.
“We are well aware of how fortunate we are as an arts organization to have already made arrangements for this period of time that has impacted so many, specifically art groups,” Hartzog said.
A ribbon-cutting and building dedication will be held Thursday, Oct. 1. It will include Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis City Council members deeding the property to Theatre Memphis after nearly 50 years of leasing, Hartzog said. The nonprofit turned 100 on May 21.
“That is a significant gift to us to celebrate our 100th anniversary,” he said.
Theatre Memphis has added more than 8,000 square feet to its kitchen and concession area. The Lohrey Stage received new paint, all the seats were reconditioned and reupholstered, and the carpet and runway lights for the pathways were updated. Grinder, Taber & Grinder Inc. was the general contractor.
“We increased our wheelchair accessibility from four to 12 by moving the area to the center of the theater and by filling the layered lobby, to make sure amenities are accessible to patrons with physical disabilities," Hartzog said.
Other upgrades to Theatre Memphis include:
New shop area
Expanded lobby restrooms
Increased common space area for events
New concession area
New exterior, covered entrance to help with flow of guests
New will call office
Expanded box office window
New double-door exit from the Lohrey Stage that will open to a new South Hall to allow patrons to exit into an interior space on either side of the theatre
“We also expanded our scenic production area almost 100% to accommodate our staff and volunteers’ space to build multiple sets at once, and be able to simply roll them on the stages of the 400-seat Lohrey Stage or 100-seat black box Next Stage,” Hartzog said.
Theatre Memphis plans to have a grand opening gala event once it is able to produce shows again.
“It is bittersweet to have this beautiful, functional, accessible facility and not be able to share it with our community immediately. … Not being able to open our doors to fill our spaces is currently having an impact, and we have been planning for how to navigate that issue for a while now," Hartzog said. "We continue to engage many in our community with online offerings. We currently have plans to promote an audio and possibly video version of 'A Christmas Carol' to maintain our 43 consecutive years of production of that show.”
Theatre Memphis has operated at 630 Perkins Extended since 1975. The 44-year-old facility's previous major capital expansion was done in 1983.
