Celebration kicks off building of new Hale theater in Orem
It should be finished by December of next year
"We're so excited. This means we really are going forward," said Anne Swenson. "And I'm excited for the people involved. We have such fabulous skills and talents that this is about giving them encouragement and a wonderful place in which to perform."
Jenny Phillips, one of the singers at the celebration party Friday evening at the Midtown Village event, said this underlines the value of theater to local people.
"It's going to show that theater is integral to the valley," she said.
"I think the Hale Center Theater and what they're doing is so important," said Nyle Smith, a member of the ensemble in the current production of "The Christmas Carol." "I'm willing to take a part in the chorus, something I haven't done in 20 years."
Right now, "It's very much a squeeze" at the theater at 400 N. 225 West, Smith said.
"I didn't realize the place was so tiny until I tried out for a part," Phillips said. "There is so much going on, the costumes, the classes, the tryouts. It's just too small."
The stage will still be in the center of the seating, retaining the theater-in-the-round style that is traditional for Hale Center productions.
The new building — which will be built on the southwest corner of the property and eventually be attached to the west tower of the Midtown Village project rather than built inside the tower — is expected to be up and running by next December.
"We hope we'll be doing "The Christmas Carol" in our new building," said owner Cody Hale.
Swenson said she and her partners started working seriously on plans for a new building four years ago. Originally the new theater was to be located on 800 North in a development that couldn't wait for them to raise the $5 million originally needed.
Once they decided to become part of the Midtown Village, they began anticipating having the breathing room and rehearsal space they needed, but several delays in construction have kept them waiting.
"Once we decided to do a separate building, it moved quickly," Swenson said.
The new building will sport a mural with paintings of donors integrated into the picture, said Hale.
It will also feature a winch-driven fly system, a stage with sections that go up and down, slightly larger acting space and a tension-grid ceiling that allows safer access to the lights.
The intimacy of the current theater will be retained.
The new building will cost $7.5 million. Approximately $4 million has been raised, and donations are still being accepted.
A CARE tax approved recently by Orem voters can pay for programs and production costs but not for construction, said Swenson.
To help, call 226-8600.
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com
Recent comments
Congragulations, Hale-Orem. I recently made my first foray to your...
Steve Gillespie | Nov. 20, 2007 at 5:29 p.m.
