ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Linnell Bowen hopes to raise an estimated $15 million in 2013 for a wide-ranging series of improvements to Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis.
The projects, which only exist as conceptual drawings at this point, encompass two additions to the rear of the 80-year-old building and changes in seating, windows, acoustics, aesthetics, and handicapped accessibility in the main auditorium.
“Theaters are like kitchens,” said Bowen, Maryland Hall’s executive director. “You need to update them every 10 years.”
Although she’s supervised countless updates to the arts center in her 16 years at the helm, the proposed work would be by far her most ambitious undertaking. In the last 15 years, she’s raised about $10 million.
Bowen realizes it may actually take four or five years to raise the money for the upgrades, but she’s in for the long haul. “I will be ancient by then,” she said. (But) Maryland Hall keeps me young because of all the young people. I’m still having fun.”
If need be, the work could be done in phases and around the seasons of the four resident companies at the arts center to lessen disruptions.
Katharene Snavely, executive director of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, was excited by the plans. “We welcome any and all improvements to Maryland Hall,” she said. “I’m thrilled this is a dialogue in our community right now. It’s an important conversation.”
April Nyman, executive director of the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, was equally enthusiastic.
“I thought the plans looked very nice,” she said. “(This is) a home for the arts, so it’s important to our community.”
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Seats of content
The auditorium will lose just over 100 seats, dropping the total to 704 after the renovations, but Bowen doesn’t see it as a problem.
The new space will be much more comfortable, and performances average between 500-600 people. Only two, a ASO Christmas concert and a Merle Haggard show, sold out last season, Bowen said.
“We want you to walk in the theater and say, ‘Wow!’ ” she said. “With these new restored windows, better acoustics, and new, comfortable seating, it’s an intimate theater experience… It won’t be an old, tired theater.”
It won’t be the only theater at Maryland Hall, either.
Plans call for the gym to be remade into a small theater with fewer than 200 seats.
As for the additions, one would have a new lobby, restrooms, elevator and second floor dressing rooms.
The other would have a freight elevator, storage space and workshops. Currently, if an item such as a grand piano has to be brought in for a performance, workers maneuver it up the front steps. The freight elevator would alleviate that difficulty.
The exterior of the additions will consist of a metal panel system with some glass. The metal will have a zinc-like finish to match the slate roof of the original structure.
Other work includes a redo and relocation of the cafe, and construction of a fly loft over the existing stage where lighting and other equipment can be stored. The existing lobby would also get a facelift and the sound booth would be moved.
Bill Hughes, chairman of Maryland Hall’s Board of Directors, is looking forward to all the changes, but especially to the revamped main theater and the new “black box” theater.
“We’re very aware of the economy in the country and that certainly presents a challenge and an opportunity…” he said. “But this is a very exciting project. It could be very transformational to Maryland Hall.”
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Foundations of progress
As the project takes shape, the townhouse development outside the arts center is making concrete progress.
After eight years, the foundations for the first seven residences at The Townes at Maryland Hall are in. Developer Bill Carraway said the townhomes are expected to be finished in 90 days — weather permitting.
“I’m excited,” Carraway said. “It was so long coming.”
Prices for a three-bedroom, 2½-bathroom unit start at about $500,000. All homes have four floors. One unit has already sold and there’s interest in another, Carraway said.
Once all seven are sold, work will begin on the remaining two phases of the project. In all, 19 townhomes are planned in four buildings on tree-lined property.
“The site is so bleak, but it’s going to be beautiful,” said Barbara Stowe Tower of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
