Add as a preferred source on Google

Ohio University Plans $8M Theatre Renovation

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/15/21

Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, announced this week that it is planning an $8-million theatre renovation project. The Gates-Abegglen Theatre, a traditional proscenium theatre that serves as one of two major performance spaces for the university, has not seen any major improvements since its construction in 1969. A local news outlet reports that the 385-seat venue will be updated to be able to provide a wider variety of performance types and instructional use.

“It’s definitely time to be renovated, just in terms of its age,” said Robert Bell, university architect and director of planning, architecture and engineering. “But we’re taking the opportunity to make it more functional for a broader user group.”

Renovations will include reconstructing audience seating, a new forward stage configuration, new lighting, new curtain systems, a new control booth and the potential addition of a balcony. Part of the renovation process also involves creating a dedicated rehearsal space equal to the size of the theatre’s stage.

According to the university website, the Gates-Abegglen Theatre is equipped with a 35 line fly system, a spiral-drive pit lift and wing space. The space hosts two or three major theatre productions per year directed by faculty or guest artists. The space is managed by the Miami University Department of Theatre.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Malibu High School Campus Completes $102M Phase 1 of Construction

    Malibu High School in Malibu, Calif., recently announced that it has completed phase 1 of construction for its new campus, a news release reports. The first phase consisted of developing and modernizing the site of a former elementary school into a new, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility.

  • KI Launches K–12 Classroom Furniture Giveaway

    Contract furniture company KI recently announced the launch of its fourth-annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway, which awards $50,000 each to four K–12 educators across the U.S., according to a news release. The goal is to address decreasing student engagement and increasing teacher burnout numbers by updating learning spaces to accommodate modern needs.

  • UNT Dallas Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for $100M STEM Building

    The University of North Texas at Dallas in Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated the opening of its new, $100-million STEM Building, according to local news. The ceremony on Dec. 2 preceded the first day of classes in the facility on Jan. 12, 2026.

  • Minnesota Middle School Finishes $23.5M Addition and Modernization

    Highland Park Middle School in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $23.5-million addition and remodel project, according to a news release. Saint Paul Public Schools partnered with ATS&R Planners, Architects & Engineers for its design and Kraus-Anderson for its construction.

Digital Edition