Olney Theatre Center has begun the final construction phase to overhaul its 1938 original building.
When completed, it will be renamed the Bernard Family Theatre in recognition of a $1 million gift from philanthropist Cathy Bernard.
The new space will be more flexible and include new educational and production facilities, according to a news release.
“We have taken the next steps in rehabilitating and transforming a treasured centerpiece of our campus that carries a storied history of some of the industry’s most celebrated artists,” said Olney Theatre’s Executive Director Debbie Ellinghaus in the release.
“After 86 years, the Original Theatre desperately needs a makeover,” Ellinghaus said.
The theater staff has raised more than 85% of the needed funds to complete the project.
“The renovated Bernard Family Theatre will be a fully flexible performance space, as suited for cutting-edge, immersive performances as for lectures, meetings, concerts and banquets,” said Artistic Director Jason Loewith.
“Our aspiration for this rejuvenated space is to make it a worthy inheritor of the original theatre that saw legends like Helen Hayes, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Olivia De Havilland, Tony Randall, Bob Fosse and Sir Ian McKellan tread its boards. We want to make sure that this legacy is accessible, not just to the professional artists we work with regularly, but to community groups, local ensembles, and our neighbors throughout the region,” Loewith said.
In earlier phases, work included renovating the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab’s lobby and backstage area and creating a permanent outdoor performance space on the Root Family State at Omi’s Pavilion.
“It is incredibly exciting to reach this milestone,” said Linda Rosenzweig, chair of the theater’s board of directors.
Construction is being overseen by architecture firm EskewDumezRipple. General contracting is by the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.
