Piedmont is planning to remodel the Alan Harvey Theater, hopefully to have it ready for use by fall of 2014. The theater was first constructed in 1976, but since then it has been in constant use from acting classes, plays, musicals, and dance concerts. According to the Alan Harvey Theater Programming Manual, in 2007 the building was assessed and structural strengthening was recommended. A large part of the project will be tearing out the current continental seating and replacing it with wheelchair accessible paths and seating. Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Randy Booker is coordinating the modernization of the theater. “We were given direction by the board of education to explore schematic design, which is the first step in a modernization project,” Booker said. The Board allocated $100,000 for the project out of its modernization budget, which is a budget that cannot be used on anything but the project.

The Alan Harvey Planning Committee chose the architectural firm Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA). Currently the committee has come up with plans that are waiting to be approved at the next board meeting on April 10, where QKA will present the current design.

“We have some basic plans of what the modernization would look like if money was ever available,” Booker said. The project could cost up to $7 million-$10 million dollars if the current plans are approved by the board and if the community wishes to fund it. The current remodel plans will replace the seats and change the layout with at least 400 seats, but create more accessibility for disabled students and elderly patrons, according to designer and theater planning committee member Mark Becker, who will be in charge of the project. Becker said he envisions the theater will become a small time performing arts center for more than just PHS activities, in which case the entire community benefits. “[The remodel will] create a new entrance from the street that is covered so that it is easier for guests to find the theatre entrance and stay dry on rainy nights,” Becker said. The remodel will create a larger lobby and will reconstruct the bathrooms so they will increase capacity and be ADA accessible. It will also enhance the stage and orchestra pit and make it safer.

The current modernization plans will also improve the control room, making it ADA accessible, and improve the stage and backstage. The plans include an instructional classroom separate from the main theater space. Currently acting uses the theater for teaching, and when it is occupied the class is required to find another space. With the new additional classroom, classes could continue in the performance room. Current plans have an additional building connected to the theater to include the new classroom. “This project basically tells a story of what needs to be improved and how we can go about doing it, that’s what this phase does,” Booker said. “Now the subsequent phases are, ‘Okay community, do you like it and do you want to raise money for it?’ then third phase is actually doing the work.” Becker said that his only concern with the project is raising enough money.

Booker said there will be a lot of time allotted for preparation. “It is a wonderful community with a major talent pool to draw from,” Becker said. “People really step up when it comes to raising money and putting time in.”