Originally built as a gymnasium in 1927, Willamette University’s historic M. Lee Pelton Theatre (previous the Kresge Theatre) was renovated to sustain and improve the building’s use for theatrical productions. New seating, stage lighting, and support spaces were developed. Furthermore, the project included the addition of an elevator/stair tower as well as the completion of numerous deferred maintenance issues such as seismic upgrade, window replacement, and brick veneer rehabilitation. Numerous existing building elements were preserved and highlighted to express the historic character of the building. Existing brick arches, corbels and wall surfaces, as well as the original gymnasium hardwood flooring were all preserved and restored to their original condition. To facilitate theater staging, rigging and lighting, a new state-of-the-art “tension grid” was added above the performance space at the level of the original bow-string roof trusses.
Willamette University’s Department of Theare recently was lauded as OnStage’s “Best B.A. in Theatre Programs in the Country in 2015”. We are proud to have our work on the newly renovated M. Lee Pelton Theatre recognized as part of that criteria considered for the award. Please click on the following to view the entire article:
http://onstageblog.com/2015/02/20/the-best-b-a-in-theatre-programs-in-the-country-in-2015/comment-page-1/