Archive: Business & Technology

Hangar TheatreJuly 1 (ITHACA, NY) With a star-studded cast and more than 300 in attendance, the Hangar Theatre announced an historic $4.6 million dollar capital campaign at its "Hangar for All Seasons" launch event on Monday, June 30 at the theatre. Lisa Bushlow, Executive Director, announced that early donors have already contributed more than 65%, a total of three million dollars. "Our volunteer campaign leaders and board of trustees have done an extraordinary job of demonstrating the need and sharing the vision of what a year-round, renovated Hangar can bring to our community. We are so grateful for the support we have already received."

John and Elaine Alexander, Co-Chairs of the National Campaign effort chose to lead the campaign "not only because of what the Hangar offers our community, but also because of what the Hangar provides to the theatre arts nationally-a magical place for young and seasoned professionals to work and learn together and to go on to work in theatres throughout the country."

Funds raised in the campaign will be used to transform existing Hangar Theatre facilities into a year-round space that will better support education programs and an expanded production season. Jim Byrnes, Community Campaign Chair, notes that "The Hangar Theatre is one of the most important assets of our community. Not only does the Theatre provide exceptional productions and education programs, but it also enhances Ithaca's reputation as a great place to visit and to live and raise a family."

Now in its 34th summer season of high quality professional theatre, the Hangar currently produces more than 20 productions for all ages in a 14-week season in an unheated, flood-prone, previously renovated airplane hangar. The 2008 summer season features six shows on the Mainstage, including two musicals, one regional premiere, and a classic; seven productions in the KIDDSTUFF series; eight cutting-edge experimental works directed by selected Drama League Directors from New York and produced by the Lab Company, a group of twenty-five emerging theatre artists who are selected from across the country. The Next Generation School of Theatre offers fun, intensive theatre experiences to youth ages 8 to 18 during the summer months.

The Hangar for All Seasons campaign project will allow the Hangar to expand its season to better serve its audience and its award-winning education programs. The Hangar is nationally recognized as an outstanding regional summer theatre and training ground for emerging artists. The "alums" of its Lab Company and Next Generation programs include such theatre notables as Michael Mayer, Tony-winning director of the Broadway hit, Spring Awakening, Academy Award Nominee Amy Ryan, for her role in Gone Baby Gone and renowned actor, Jimmy Smits who appeared on the Hangar stage while an MFA student at Cornell University in the 1980's.

Since its early beginnings, the Hangar has been dedicated to theatre arts education for all as well as high quality productions. The Hangar's education programs introduce live theatre to young people throughout Tompkins County and the central New York area through Artists-In-The Schools opportunities and a regional school tour, featuring theatre professionals. A winterized facility will open up new possibilities. For example, the School Tour and Artists-in-the-Schools programs, currently limited to daytime performances in school cafeterias with modest sets and costumes, will be supplemented with performances at the Hangar during the school day and on evenings and weekends for families from throughout the region. And an extended season that overlaps the school year in spring and fall will allow integration of Mainstage performances into the school curriculum.

The proposed project will bring theatre patrons many welcome changes. The lobby area will be expanded, new auditorium seats will be installed, restroom facilities will be completely renovated and expanded and parking lots will be improved. Backstage facilities will also be dramatically upgraded, allowing the Hangar to continue to attract professional talent. Flooding issues will be addressed, and a new heating system will be added to allow for an expanded season. The campaign will run through December, 2009. Renovations are expected to be completed for the summer 2010 season.

Robert Moss, Artistic Director of the Hangar from 1981 to 1996 and current Interim Artistic Director, says of the Hangar, "I know no other theatre in the country that is so deeply connected to its community. I agreed to help lead this campaign for both the next generation of artists and for the most remarkable audience I've ever known-the Hangar's." Moss will co-chair the Alumni Campaign with Hangar Lab Company Alum Michael Mayer, the 2007 Tony Award winning director of Spring Awakening on Broadway. Mayer touts his early years at the Hangar as "the first time I felt like a professional director. Creating work for and with Bob Moss and the Ithaca community was a profoundly important time in my creative development. I truly cannot imagine my career without that possibility-rich experience."

Peter Flynn, who will take the reins as Artistic Director this August, closed the program with Executive Director Lisa Bushlow, both thanking the community and expressing their enthusiasm for a renovated, revitalized Hangar to better serve the region and the national theatre.

----
v4i26