The Next Stage

The Campaign for Thalian Hall

The Project

The planned renovation and expansion is the result of a comprehensive master/strategic planning process that was completed by the Board of Trustees in early 2003. Based upon the Master Plan presented in 2003, the City has committed $3,000,000 towards the campaign goal of $8,000,000.

Fully implemented, the plan creates one of the finest performing arts complexes in the state and will serve the needs of Wilmington and the Region well into the 21st century. Importantly, the plans ensure that historic Thalian Hall will remain the jewel in Wilmington’s cultural crown.

To speak to a staff member regarding support for The Campaign for Thalian Hall, please call 910-343-3660, or contact Executive Director Tony Rivenbark using his personal contact form.

Background

Completed and continuously occupied since 1858, Thalian Hall is the only surviving theater designed by John Montague Trimble, one of America’s foremost 19th century theater architects. The building is listed on the National Register for Historic Places.

Wilmington had been a center of theatrical activity since the late 18th century. However, with the addition of Thalian Hall, Wilmington became a major stop for national touring artists. After the turn of the century, Thalian Hall went through several renovations. There were several close calls with demolition in the 1930’s, but the citizens of the community always rallied for its preservation. Following a small fire in the auditorium in 1973, the theater was restored to its turn-of-the-century appearance. After re-opening in 1975, Thalian Hall witnessed a dramatic increase in use by professional artists and community groups, and audience attendance rose.

In 1983, a master plan for the expansion of the theater and renovation of the stage house was developed with a total price tag of $5.3 million. In 1985, the citizens of Wilmington overwhelmingly passed a $1.7 million bond issue for the Thalian Hall Renovation and Expansion Project. Thanks to the magnificent response by the State and the private sector, more than $2 million was generated for the effort, with the City providing the remainder of the funds. Construction began in 1988, and the expanded Thalian Hall/City Hall complex reopened on March 2, 1990.

Thalian Hall Today

Historic Thalian Hall/City Hall is owned by the City of Wilmington. The THCPA is responsible for coordinating the calendar, maintaining the facility, and providing technical and marketing support for an array of performing arts organizations including the Thalian Community Theatre and the Opera House Theatre Company.

In addition, the THCPA provides touring performances through its Main Street Attractions series which include national and international touring artists. THCPA also features artistic films through its Cinematique Film Series.

THCPA plays an important role in arts education for local children. The annual Pied Piper Theatre produced by THCPA provides a first experience with live theatre to every first and 2nd grader in New Hanover County.

The present performance venues consist of:

The Main Stage – the original Thalian Hall, a traditional proscenium theater that seats 682 on three levels.

The Studio Theater – a multi-purpose black box theater with variable seating. Used primarily for small theatrical productions meeting and concerts. Maximum capacity is 100, but allowing for a playing area reduces the seating to 60 to 80 patrons.

The Ballroom – an elegant two-story space located on the second floor of City Hall which is the regular meeting space for the Wilmington City Council. Also available for private events of up to 200.

Historic Thalian Hall is booked virtually year round. Based on five-year averages from 1997-2002, Thalian Hall’s three venues annually host 422 events attended by nearly 80,000 people, a figure that has doubled in less than twenty years. Factoring in each of the performance or meeting sites, this translates into the equivalent of 927 total days of use per year.

The demand created by this extraordinary use cannot be met by the existing facilities. Recognizing this and other longer-term needs, the THCPA Board of Trustees undertook a strategic planning process earlier this year.

The planning process determined that:

• The facility is at maximum capacity.
• The area’s growth demands more shows, events, meeting and special events spaces.
• Children need greater opportunities in the performing arts.
• The current facility is in need of refurbishing.
• Equipment needs updating.
• The Main Stage is too large for many smaller productions, and Studio Theatre is too small.

The New Playhouse

The construction of a new, state-of-the-art theater emerged as a vital part of the strategic plan. In addition to providing more performing opportunities particularly for many of the smaller arts organizations it greatly expands the potential for educational outreach to area school children.

This proposed new Playhouse will be entered through Princess Street will seat 250 people. It will include a satellite box office, lobby, restrooms, dressing rooms, support space, performance space and equipment, enlarged loading dock, and re-landscaping of Innes Park. It will allow for the expansion of Cinematique to 52 weeks, creating greater audiences and more income for Thalian Hall and WHQR Radio.

It will increase storage space for stage equipment and supplies. This new theatre will relieve pressure from the Main Stage by providing a high quality and flexible performance space for theatre, concerts, and educational activities. The new space will be designed to function for receptions and fund raising galas as well which will relieve pressure from the City Council chambers/ballroom.

Thalian Hall Renovation

The plan also calls for improvement of the historic Thalian Hall proper, ensuring that it will maintain its position as an important center of cultural life in southeastern North Carolina.

The planned improvements include:

• Improvements to address audience safety and comfort including ambient lighting, aisle lighting, and upgrades to the HVAC system.
• The 30 year old seats will be replaced by new state-of-the art theatrical seating, a new sloping floor on Main Level and new platforms on the 1st balcony with increased leg room for all rows.
• General refurbishment and upgrades to Lobby, Entrance, and Box Office, and Administrative Offices. Upgrade of phone and ticketing system for the box office. Improved concessions and gift shop. General painting throughout front- and back-of-house spaces.
• Improvements to stage and stage equipment includes a new lighting and sound system, state of the art lighting instruments, new lighting positions. New stage curtains and a new mechanical orchestra pit lift which expands the stage size with a minimum of time and labor.
• Preservation of historical aspects of the auditorium including repainting of decorative stenciling, re-carpeting, period lighting, and general painting.

Conclusion

This proposed effort likely represents the last major expansion of the Thalian Hall complex.

Over the years, a combination of public and private investment have worked together to save one of the most historic theaters in the country. With continued support, this campaign will result in one of the finest performing arts complexes in the Southeast and ensures that historic Thalian Hall will remain as relevant to the citizens of the area as it was the day it was built.

To speak to a staff member regarding support for The Campaign for Thalian Hall, please call 910-343-3660, or contact Executive Director Tony Rivenbark using his personal contact form.

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