July 5, 2000
State Theater starts renovation work
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Getting started this summer on the State Theater's ambitious renovation and expansion plans, workers tearing out a wall in the Kurtz Building next door found an old Record-Eagle nestled in the lath and plaster construction.
A timely find, this issue of the paper, dated July 7, 1950, celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the National Cherry Festival.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the State Theater, which was built after the former Lyric Theater burned down for the second time at the same location. This makes finding the old Record-Eagle even more of a treasure to theater manager Tom Johnson. He plans to frame the paper and display it prominently in one of two new lobbies that will be located in the former Kurtz Music building after renovations are complete next year.
It will be a fitting piece of art when the expanded State Theater debuts next summer, guided by its twin missions as a community arts and education center. Functioning as an arts anchor for the downtown, the theater will be the home of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. It may also house other theater, music or dance programs in the future.
"The whole idea with the State Theater is integrative arts programming," said Dan Wolf, president of the State Theater Group board, which was founded three years ago to spearhead the renovations.
"As the project has evolved we have become more engaged in arts education opportunities because that's where our patrons have taken us. They have asked and we responded."
Even this summer, as workers tear out walls and gut the Kurtz Building next door, the State Theater is fulfilling its mission. For the first time, the State Theater hosted a week-long Theater Arts Camp that drew a dozen students last week. Each day a different artist from around the state spent the morning teaching students topics such as dance, storytelling, mime and Native American arts and crafts.
"All artists addressed a different theme and goal," said Johnson, a professional actor and mime who gives presentations at schools during the school year. "This was not just art for art's sake because I believe that arts should have a purpose."
Other upcoming productions are scheduled until mid-August, when the theater closes for extensive renovations, including Forever Plaid and another visit by Second City. And by next spring, even before all renovations are complete, the State Theater will again offer educational programs in the arts for children.
After closing, work throughout the two buildings will begin in earnest. The new theater will have seating for 738 people on two levels, with the current balcony extended both forward and backward. Box seats will be added along the sides of the lower level.
Plans include a lobby for each level and an orchestra pit. The basement will include a green room, dressing rooms, the theater office and choir and music rooms. The third floor of the former Kurtz Building will have rooms dedicated for rehearsals, classes and workshops.
"When we are done, not only will we offer all kinds of programs, but also workshops and classes for all ages," Johnson said. "Our plan is to find the finest professional artists in the country and bring them up to this area. We can have them do school visits during the week and give two performances on the weekend for parents and the community."
Another facet of the expanded theater is that it may be rented for productions, as Johnson did himself three years ago at Christmas to stage a professional production of 'It's a Wonderful Life.' He envisions other local producers sourcing plays and other artistic productions there in the future. Earlier this summer, a local rock band rented the theater for their compact disc debut party, bringing in more than 300 fans.
The State Theater Group and Johnson are clear in their mission and do not see that it in any way detracts from the existing Old Town Playhouse or Children's/Teen Theater. Having another arts venue available with a distinct mission can only enhance the overall arts community, Johnson said.
"We will bring in professional shows and they do community theater," Johnson said. "What they do, they do so well. The idea is to work together and the more the merrier, I think."