 |
 |
 |
| The new door to the lobby is on the left and will open up to the largest part of the lobby. | Removal of a tank that had been underground, left from the building's airplane hangar past. This contained water. | The front of the building facing Route 89 |
Hangar Theatre Breaks Ground on 4.6 Million Dollar Campaign For Renovation
(ITHACA, NY) The Hangar Theatre celebrated the start of construction for the Hangar for All Seasons campaign renovation at a groundbreaking ceremony held Monday, September 21.
“Today we break ground on the renovation of our beloved Hangar Theatre—a community treasure that is so desperately in need of repair—and the transformation begins…to a Hangar for all seasons,” said Executive Director Lisa Bushlow.
Co-Chair of the Community Campaign Jim Byrnes announced that the theatre has successfully raised $3.7 million, or 81%, towards the $4.6 million Hangar for All Seasons campaign goal. Byrnes thanked volunteers, leadership, and donors who have stretched to give so far, adding that he hopes many more people in the community will support the campaign through December 2010.
Mayor Carolyn Peterson spoke about the City’s partnership with the Hangar and said that she is hopeful that the government will be a major financial participant in the project because the city remains the owner of the land and building and is ultimately responsible for its condition opening her speech with, “I am from the government and I am here to help.” She also noted that the city recently approved the terms for a new lease with the Hangar.
Jean McPheeters, the President of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, said that the Hangar helps make Ithaca a destination for people to live and vacation; because it nurtures the soul. “The Hangar is not an add-on, but a requirement,” said McPheeters.
Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton remarked, “I am so pleased to be able to bring state capital money to the Hangar upgrade and expansion project. As a former high school English teacher, I think the Hangar’s Education Program that brings theatre and play-writing into schools in our county and region is extremely important and worthy of significant state support.
Artistic Director Peter Flynn asked the audience to imagine the transformative impact that the year round theatre will have on area children, national artists, and theatre goers throughout our diverse region.
The ceremony concluded with a vocal performance by Hangar alum and Broadway performer Eric Jordan Young, who starred in last season’s Rent at the Hangar. Young sang “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha. This popular musical was the Hangar’s inaugural production when it first opened its doors in 1977 and has already been symbolically selected for the 2010 season.
Renovations to the facility include winterization, storm water management, lobby re-design, new auditorium seats, upgraded and expanded public restroom facilities, and improved access and safety indoors and outdoors. The backstage area will also be renovated for the safety and comfort of visiting and resident artists.
The winterized facility will allow for an extended production season and provide a home for the Hangar’s renowned education program. The facility will also be available to the community as a new rental venue. The renovations are expected to be completed by June, 2010; a grand re-opening is slated to coincide with the Hangar’s production of Man of La Mancha in July, 2010.
For more information about the Hangar for All Seasons capital campaign please visit www.hangartheatre.org. To give a gift toward the renovation or the endowment fund, please contact Development Director Mary Beth Bunge, marybeth@hangartheatre.org; 273-8588x17.
The Hangar for All Seasons renovation project will result in significant improvements, to include:
-new bathrooms
-upgraded parking lot and lighting
-new auditorium seats
-lobby enhancement
-building winterization
-storm water management
-upgraded backstage areas
The renovated Hangar will offer enhanced programming, to include:
- a year-round home for our renowned education program
- an expanded season with additional productions
- a new venue for community events
Be a star!
- Gifts of $50,000 and above are recognized with a Large Star in the lobby. Naming opportunities for specific spaces in the facility are also available.
- Gifts of $25,000 and above are recognized with a Medium Star in the lobby. A limited number of naming opportunities for specific spaces in the facility are also available.
- Gifts of $10,000 and above are recognized with a Small Star in the lobby.
- Gifts of $3,000 and above will be recognized on a plaque of the auditorium’s seating chart to be displayed in the lobby.
All campaign contributions will be recognized publicly (unless a donor specifies otherwise) in reports and tributes produced by the Hangar.
Print a Donation Form & Mail
Please mail to: PO Box 205, Ithaca, NY 14850
For more information about the Hangar's Capital Campaign, or to make a gift, contact Mary Beth Bunge, Director of Development at (607) 273-8588 ext. 17; marybeth@hangartheatre.org.