Renovation and Restoration
In 1999, the theatre, now owned by The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation, was designated "The Official State Theatre of Tennessee". In 2001, the Foundation announced a campaign to completely restore and renovate the Theatre. The $29.3 million project was funded through public and private donations, with the help of $6.3 million in tax credits. The theater closed for renovations in June 2003 to completely restore it to its original glamor.
Renovations included expansions of the stage depth and height to accommodate larger and more elaborate productions, a custom orchestra shell to enhance the acoustics of the new larger stage, an enlarged orchestra pit, upgraded dressing room facilities, modernization of the lighting, rigging, and other theatrical equipment, the installations of elevators, and a new marquee.
The restorations included new carpets, draperies, and lighting fixtures that duplicated the original designs, and historically accurate restoration of all plaster and paint surfaces throughout the lobby, lounges, foyers, and the auditorium. Integration of acoustic treatments into the restored auditorium and lobby, and a substantially improved exterior sound isolation system were included in the restoration design. Seating capacity is now 1,631 people.
The theatre reopened January 14, 2005 to a near sold-out season, and now offers a wide range of performing arts events and classic films to the public. It is managed by AC Entertainment. Thermocopy has been a major presenting sponsor of the Theatre since its reopening in 2005.
The design team for this renovation effort included Westlake Reed Leskosky Architects of Cleveland, Ohio; McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects of Knoxville, Tennessee; Evergreene Studios, Historic Restoration Consultants of New York, New York; and Acoustic Consultant Kirkegaard Associates of Chicago, Illinois.
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