Susan Knox Wilson
There was a red carpet, of course, lots of stars and VIPs, a dignitary or two, the president spoke, singers and dancers performed, a magical light show dazzled, the ribbon was cut and the newly renovated Renaissance Theater was officially reopened!
The culmination of two years of planning and fundraising and six months of construction, the Renaissance Theater renovation project is finally complete. The $700,000 project was a collaboration of the HOA and the Performing Arts Council (PAC), along with a significant financial contribution by PebbleCreek Developer Ed Robson.
“The new backstage is an amazing addition to our beautiful theater,” said Traci Baker, Director of Activities and Communications and emcee of the grand re-opening event “When I first came to PebbleCreek, now almost three years ago, one of things I loved most was the fact that we had a theater. In high school I was president of our drama club all four years, so it’s safe to say that I love theater and the people who love it. It was such a great honor for me to be here to help re-open our beautiful Renaissance Theater.”
The newly built multi-purpose room on the back side of the theater provides much-needed space for staging shows, dressing areas, rehearsal space, club board meetings and other needs essential to putting on a show. “No longer will performers have to worry about tripping over sets, props and one another,” commented Jeff Buda who headed the theater expansion team for the PAC along with Carolyn Weese. And, with a sigh of relief, added, “no longer will they have to change costumes outside on the ramp!”
HOA Board President John Kiekbusch praised the group effort behind the project noting, “Today we celebrate the grand-reopening of this very important asset in our community. An asset that was generously given to us, initially, by Ed Robson and now has been expanded, retrofitted and renovated, thanks again to Mr. Robson and RCI who were the major contributors to the effort. This amazing theater is home to the PebbleCreek Performing Arts groups, our award-winning Life Long Learning lectures and seminars, our Cinema Society film screenings and, of course, is where the world-class performers Traci brings to PebbleCreek entertain us year round.”
President Kiekbusch also commented on the cutting-edge technology enhancements installed in the theater including the new sound booth, lighting system and audio loop. “The addition of the audio loop,” he noted, “will make coming to the theater so much more enjoyable for our hearing impaired residents.”
The ceremony concluded with a special gift from Terry Davies, president of TAD Management, provider of many of the talented, professional artists who appear at the Renaissance Theater. Laura Berger, singing and dancing star of Those British Girls and singer/dancer Jessie Berger from the group December ‘63 entertained with a selection of tunes from their shows.