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Naming
Opportunities at the Grand Opera House of the South
The complete
renovation of the Grand Opera House of the South is supported
by a Capital Campaign that provides an array of naming opportunities
for honoring the member of a loved one or special person,
or for identifying a business, individual or corporation's
support for cultural institutions in our region. If you would
like to take advantage of any of the naming opportunities
described below, or simply would like more information, you
may send an email by clicking
here, or use any of the means of reaching us offered on
our contact page.
Each naming opportunity will be acknowledged with a bronze
plaque located in the lobby area of the opera house, as well
as with a smaller bronze plaque in the appropriate room or
area. In addition, all advertised special events will be noted
as taking place in a specific area and will carry the appropriate
donor or honoring name.
Staircase:
The original wooden staircase, which was removed in the
1940s, was eight feet wide and 70 feet long. A replica
of the original staircase will lead patrons and visitors
into Grand Opera House of the South for all performances
and exhibitions as well as daily tours. The naming opportunity
also includes a chandelier that will be installed, similar
to what was there originally. $250,000
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Lobby:
Originally used as David E. Lyons' living quarters, the
lobby area will be the welcoming and holding area for
patrons and visitors. Complete with a self-service bar
and a limited concession area, the lobby area will also
house the rest rooms, elevator, administrative offices and volunteer
room. $250,000
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Museum:
The large open room on the southwest corner of what was
originally living quarters will house a small museum.
Old lithographs, an original ticket and letterhead, and
period clothes are among the many donated and found items
pertaining to the opera house that will be on permanent
display. Video recapturing fond memories of early Grand
Opera House patrons will be set up in the museum as an added benefit to the tour. $250,000
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Main
Auditorium:
Once said to seat 1000, the main auditorium will now seat
approximately 225. The main auditorium will be an intimate
space, with its steep slope and excellent sight lines.
The two main light fixtures are still intact and in perfect
condition; however, many of the smaller fixtures that
hung underneath the balcony level, as well as the sconces
that light up the balcony railing, are being replicated
using the original fixtures. The majority of the pressed
tin ceiling, which lies underneath the balcony, is in
excellent condition. However, several sections will need
to be replicated and replaced. Period drapery, which will
coordinate with the main stage curtain, will be installed
to cover the many windows that are on either side of the
auditorium, so that light cannot filter in during performances.
$1,000,000
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Balcony:
The bleacher style seating of the balcony will seat an
additional 100+ patrons. The bleachers will be replaced
with a slightly sloped floor and will contain cushion seats. The sloping
floor will provide sight lines comparable to those below.
$150,000
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Grand Box
Seat:
The elite enjoyed being seen from these magnificent box
seats, which are located either side of the stage. Although
these are not the best seats in the house, they are the
fanciest! The pressed tin, hand-painted angel medallions
will be replicated and hand-painted complete with a period
chandelier that will hang from the center of the medallion.
Each box will contain moveable seats, a hand carved railing,
and drapery that once made these seats affordable to only
the wealthiest. $50,000 each
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Grand Stage:
Step Lively, Odds and Ends and The Little
American were just a few of the plays that were once
performed on the 43' x 39' stage. To accommodate the installation
of state-of-the-art lighting and rigging systems, a steel
support structure must be added to the all-wooden construction
for proper support. The stage is a focal point of the
Grand Opera House of the South and will be the place where
many wonderful and exciting performers will share their
talents. $1,000,000
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Main Stage Curtain:
Vivian Mayes Smith, in a 1977 newspaper article, vividly
described the fire curtain of the Grand. She wrote
that the red velvet curtain "was centered with a
romantic scene of lovers on a placid lake." A 1952
article in the Daily Signal stated that the curtain
was "plush...with large tassels." This curtain
will be replicated. $200,000
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Grand Ballroom:
Once used for cotillion balls and other private events,
the ballroom will once again be open for use. This 3000
sq.ft. area will be able to accommodate 200 seated or 100
standing guests. With a a warming kitchen and storage
off the ballroom, this will be perfect for private dinners,
receptions and meetings as well as for "Meet the
Artists" pre- and post-performance gatherings, and
the promotion of the visual arts. $300,000
(This naming opportunity has been subscribed)
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Original
Dressing Rooms:
The six original dressing rooms directly off the stage
will be refinished and refurbished. All of
the original artwork and signatures will be preserved.
$20,000 each
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Dressing
Room Addition:
An additional 3000 sq. ft. "green room" will
be added to the rear of the stage. After the addition
is complete, this area will house the grand piano, two
rest rooms for the artists, two large dressing rooms,
as well as space for the props and costumes which will
be brought up from the ground floor via freight elevator.
$500,000
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Lights/Sound Booth:
Light and sound equipment booth on the third floor.
$200,000
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Stage Equipment:
An array of stage equipment that will be located in the second floor stage area.
$200,000
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