GRAND THEATRE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN: LET'S MAKE HER GRAND AGAIN
Grand Theatre Future: The Grand Vision
The Grand Theatre is Kingston's civic arts centre and the prime performing arts theatre in the region. It provides an important venue for professional and amateur performances and features ballet, modern dance, drama, comedy, and classical and contemporary music concerts.
Since opening in 1879, the Grand Theatre has provided local residents with a wealth of cultural opportunities. Performances by such noted artists as Tommy Hunter, Chantal Kreviazuk, Rita McNeil, Michael Burgess, Sarah Harmer and Randy Bachman have graced its stage. In addition, many local arts organizations — such as the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, the Kinsmen Club, Queens Musical Theatre, Kingston Meistersingers, Rogue and Peasant Theatre and Dramatic Impact — use the Grand to stage their productions.
The Grand Theatre as it appears today. |
The Grand Theatre adds to the vitality of downtown Kingston and the entire region. It provides both direct employment and secondary spin-offs, such as lengthened tourist visits and increased revenues to local restaurants, hotels and retail outlets. As Kingston's Performing Arts Centre, the Grand has undergone four major renovations, the latest being a lobby refurbishment which took place in 2000. Today, the Grand Theatre is sorely in need of updating and renovation to improve audience and performer comfort and safety and to enhance functionality and attractiveness.
The plan includes:
- Cleaning the exterior of the Princess Street façade and improving the lighting and marquee
- Updating the main auditorium with new catwalks, box seats, ambient lighting, doors and wider seats. The redesigned auditorium will feature better sightlines and acoustics
- Upgrading the lobbies, bar and public areas including washrooms
- Repairing the auditorium and fly tower roof and removing the interior ceiling
- Upgrading the stage area by adding 2220 square feet of green room and storage space under the stage, excavating for an orchestra pit lift, installing insulated doors to stage left installing a new dimmer systems along with new performance equipment
- Improving and expanding the seating capacity of the Baby Grand Theatre
- Reconfiguring and improving the second floor lobby and Springer Lounge
- Upgrading the mechanical, electrical heating, air conditioning and safety systems
- Purchasing an acoustic shell to improve the acoustics for the Kingston Symphony Orchestra and other musical performances and installing overhead reflectors and winches
GRAND THEATRE PAST: A BRIEF HISTORY
In 1879, a local wealthy businessman by the name of William C. Martin first opened the Theatre, then known as "Martin's Opera House". Over the next twenty years, the theatre presented over 1,200 shows before burning to the ground in 1898. In 1902, the Theatre was rebuilt by Ambrose J. Small and renamed the "Grand Opera House". At the time of its construction, it was one of the most modern theatres in all of Canada. Al Jolson, Sarah Bernhardt and Harry Houdini all performed at the Grand Opera House with great success. Mr. Small sold the Theatre in 1919, and on the day of sale, he vanished without a trace. The mystery of his sudden disappearance was never solved; legend has it that his ghost is still residing at the Grand.
The old Opera House, 1895 |
As times changed, so did the Grand. In 1938, the theatre was bought by Famous Players and transformed into a motion picture house. However, the theatre closed
in 1961 due to poor financial results. One year later, the City of Kingston bought the theatre and along with a group of local residents, initiated a major
fundraising campaign to save the Grand. Over 300 people supported this endeavor and in 1966, it reopened as the Grand Theatre and has served as the city's
civic auditorium space since that time.
[LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GRAND'S HISTORY]
GRAND THEATRE PRESENT: THE GRAND TODAY
Located in the heart of downtown with its vibrant summer and winter schedule of music, theatre and comedy, the Grand has helped make Kingston a regional centre for arts and culture. The Theatre houses a wide variety of touring music, dance and theatre productions, as well as the talented work of local producers and presenters. The Baby Grand Studio features local developing theatre artists and unique, avant-garde and innovative productions in other performing arts disciplines. The Springer Lounge features the work or local artists.
GRAND THEATRE FUTURE: THE GRAND VISION
The restoration of the Grand Theatre is central to the continued development of Kingston as a tourist destination for the arts, heritage and culture and the creation of a cultural gathering place in the downtown core. The Grand Theatre will continue to serve the community by providing both residents and tourists with high quality entertainment for all ages and interests. With better seating, sightlines and acoustics audiences will enjoy enhanced production values and greater comfort in the improved auditorium.
Architects' conception of the new ground floor
[Architects: Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc.
in partnership with Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd.]
The Grand vision includes a bigger more versatile facility through an expansion to the Baby Grand, upper and lower lobbies and upstairs lounge. This will be accomplished by extending the second floor out over the existing courtyard. With the completion of the proposed renovation and expansion, the Grand Theatre will be able to attract an even broader range of traveling acts and will better be able to accommodate the needs of area producers and performers. The additional space and green room will increase functionality, usage and enjoyment for local arts user groups and touring shows alike, while the newly renovated theatre with modern stage, sound and lighting equipment will help attract top flight performers and productions to the city and encourage them to return.
HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE THE DREAM A REALITY
The City of Kingston, local donors and companies have made significant contributions to this renovation and expansion effort. Now Kingstonians from every walk of life can also contribute to this exciting venture by financially supporting the Grand Theatre Restoration Campaign. Help us ensure the long-term viability of this important cultural institution.
Let's make her Grand again!
