Preparations for the renovation of the Eastman Theatre and construction of a new addition to the Eastman School of Music are progressing, with construction scheduled to occur between July 2008 through December 2009. While the construction of the new addition will occur throughout the entire 18-month construction period, the renovation of the Eastman Theatre will occur during the summers of 2008 and 2009.
“Given the extensive amount of work to be accomplished in the theatre, a two-summer theatre construction schedule permits more flexibility to efficiently deploy resources and eliminate the possibility of any unexpected interference with Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Eastman School of Music concerts in the theatre,” said Jamal Rossi, senior executive associate dean of the Eastman School.
During the summer of 2008, new structural, mechanical, and electrical infrastructures will be installed in Eastman Theatre to support the architectural finishes and acoustic improvements scheduled for the summer of 2009, and careful asbestos abatement will be completed.
“When the theatre reopens in October this year, it will look very much the same as it does today, but all of the infrastructure work will have been completed in preparation for the new architectural finishes and acoustic improvements that will be installed during the summer of 2009,” explained Rossi.
The renovation schedule for the summer of 2009 will include the construction of box seats at the orchestra and mezzanine levels of the theatre while reducing the overall seating capacity of the theatre by 800 seats. The lobby will be enlarged; a new wall will separate the lobby from the theatre; all of the theatre seats in the theatre will be replaced; and ADA access will be provided to all areas of the theatre. A concessions area will be developed adjacent to the expanded lobby and a new passage will link the existing oval lobby to the atrium in the new addition to the Eastman School of Music.
The new addition to the Eastman School, which will be constructed on the site of an existing parking lot on the corner of East Main and Swan Streets, will include a recital hall, a rehearsal hall, faculty studios, a recording control room, and a grand entrance atrium.
According to Rossi, “In addition to enhancing Eastman’s position as one of the nation’s leading music schools, this project supports some of Rochester’s cultural jewels, including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rochester International Jazz Festival, for the benefit of all Rochesterians who value music.”
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