ART Friends Expands Theatre Facility Main Lobby
The Al. Ringling Theatre Friends has taken the first step in expanding the Theatres operations and programming by connecting the historic Theatre to Stage II, the adjacent property owned by ART Friends.
Since approving a proposal by Guntis Apse to restore the lobby and the BRAVO Centers announced their relation to another location in Baraboo, the ART Friends board saw this as a perfect opportunity to expand the Theatres space by moving into the Stage II location.
According to Larry McCoy, ART Friends executive director, The plan is to make an opening into Stage II from the Theatres main lobby, then move the concessions into the Stage II space. With this move, we will also open up quite a bit more lobby space in the historic building, as well as the Stage II location. This move has created the opportunity to fully restore the Al. Ringling Theatre lobby, provide more lobby space for patrons to mingle and socialize, potentially add new use for programming, and hopefully add new audience comforts, including new restrooms.
The board is very excited about these developments and we have some excellent people working on this project to upgrade the Theatre to meet the audience needs and improve the comforts and accessibility of all visitors to the Al. Ringling Theatre, McCoy further noted.
While the lobby is being restored and the development of Stage II moves forward, ART Friends continues to develop plans for heating and air conditioning upgrades, identification of other smaller projects such as the mezzanine ladies lounge and dressing rooms as potential projects.
For more information about the ongoing restoration and development of the Al. Ringling Theatre, please contact Larry McCoy at 608-356-8864 or by e-mail at ringling@baraboo.com.
Larry McCoy, Executive Director
Al. Ringling Theatre
P.O. Box 381
Baraboo, WI 53913
Phone: 608-356-8864
e-mail: ringling@baraboo.com
Fax: 608-356-0976
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