When the doors close and the curtains close, it’s time for the behind-the-scenes work to begin.
Caring for our Cultural Trust venues is a bit like maintaining a home…except multiply that work across 10 historic and uniquely designed spaces, each with its own specialized equipment. It’s a big undertaking, but it’s also an essential part of our mission.
Thankfully, our Facilities, Operations, and Production teams are experts in this upkeep. From managing everyday maintenance (yes, even theaters need their HVAC filters replaced!) to major capital improvement projects, they keep our venues running smoothly.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we’ve got quite a to-do list. In just two years, we’ve scheduled more than 200 capital improvement projects across our venues.
Some of these projects you may notice. Others are more behind the scenes. No matter the visibility, these changes will ensure our spaces are safe, accessible and exceptional for artists, crews, and audiences like you.
To highlight this work and pull back the curtain, we’re launching a series called Scene Change.
Together, we’ll go beyond the everyday fixes and showcase the work that will make each of your visits better than the last.
Renovated Front-of-House Elevator
The wait is over! After undergoing a complex renovation process, the front-of-house elevator in the Benedum is back in business. The newly renovated elevator is faster and more spacious, allowing for greater accessibility and a better guest experience. It’s rare that a venue of this size and level of activity can accommodate a renovation like this one, but we’re grateful for your patience and proud to complete this important project.
Concrete was placed to form the pit, allowing for the start of the shaft construction.
Final framing, finishes, and new paint colors are being matched before the inspection.
Additional Accessible Seating
Those in need of accessible seating at the Benedum will now have another option on the second-tier balcony! We recently installed a new platform in Row W, which is designed for two mobility devices and two companion seats. The process involved demolishing a stair riser and wall panel. Thanks to the front-of-house elevator renovation, we were able to add accessible seating to this area for the first time because the second floor is now easier to reach.
Benedum balcony demolition of stair riser and wall panel to install accessible seating in progress.
New Smoke Hatches
In the event of a fire-related emergency, smoke hatches play a vital role—venting heat, smoke, and toxic gases to help protect the people inside and the structure itself. While the smoke hatches at the Benedum and Byham were functional, the team decided to replace them with new models that have more automation.
The process was made more complicated by the number of smoke hatches—12 at the Benedum and 4 at the Byham—and because those smoke hatches are located on the rooftops. Like a super-sized claw machine, cranes were used to remove the old smoke hatches from the roof and lift the new ones into place.
The new mechanical hatches are stage-controlled.
A crane hoists the new smoke hatches.
Upgraded Aisle Lighting
Have you noticed a new glow in the aisle seats at the Benedum? We recently swapped out more than 200 bulbs for energy-efficient LED counterparts, which are bright enough to meet safety regulations.
While aisle lighting may seem inconspicuous, the wrong brightness can disrupt key visual effects in a darkened theater. With that in mind, the team tested the color temperature and reviewed dozens of lamps and fixtures to find the right balance.
The new LED aisle with dimmer controls are set at the code minimum for egress lighting
New Accessible Restrooms
We converted the bathrooms in Liberty Magic and Wood Street Galleries to meet ADA requirements. Now, these bathrooms have a wider turning radius for mobility devices and ADA door opener buttons.
The Liberty Magic bathroom has three grab bars for easier access.
Additional ADA Parking Spots
We added two additional ADA parking spaces to the Theater Square parking garage.
