Capital Projects at Spotlighters Theatre

A new Capital Project is underway at Spotlighters!     LOBBY HVAC FUND!
We are raising funds (Grants and Public Donations) to afford a $45,000 HVAC system for the Lobby, Box Office, and BackStage areas.
Find out more here - and click on the link to make a donation!

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Over the years the board and leadership of Spotlighters Theatre has worked to improve the physical space for both our actors, designers & crew and our audience members.

Back in 2007, a much-needed upgrade was completed to our backstage area.  This included designing new dressing room areas, creating a kitchenette with fridge and counter space - plus a washer and dryer!   A large green room with prop counter, and also storage for props and a sewing center was also added.   The paint storage wall was opened up and a large paint sink was installed.   And finally a modest wood shop was created with storage for tools, sound and light equipment.

Following the backstage renovation, there was a decision to redesign the tech booth, and make it more functional.  It gained a bit of space - but was raised 3 feet, and given a much better view of the stage.  In 2010, another upgrade took place, and with the help of Middendorf Foundation, the theatre was able to replace all the theatre seating with NEW seats from Irwin Seating.  The riser decks were also replaced, and handrails added.  

As part of the re-opening process following the Pandemic Spotlighters was awarded a grant from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development through the Strong Economic Recovery Initiative.   The grant program was designed to provide funding for capital projects that allowed non-profits to re-open safely following the pandemic.   Spotlighters was able to install a totally new HVAC system which provided adequate air conditioning and heat for the space, along with a fresh air exchange that can bring in 500 CF or air per minute.   Spotlighters also installed 5 Sphere (by Synexis, Trane) Air Purification units to remove 99.8% of all molds, pollens, dust, germs and viruses from the air.

In early 2023, the theatre began looking at an upgrade to the Lighting Grid above the stage.   The grid was installed in mid 1990s, and had instruments donated by other theatres and organizations that were upgrading their systems - which means they are in 1990, 20+ years old.   (See photos below).

The new grid will raise the height clearance on the stage and be a fully digital LED grid, offering savings in utilities and provide a wider range in lighting options.   With assistance from volunteers, Rob Books, the resident Tech Director, was able to get all instruments removed from the grid, and all power cabling in just one afternoon-evening.  Aidan Deighan, the Peabody Audio Intern, worked to remove all the stage microphones, speakers, monitors and cabling.

Union Electric technicians started work on Mon, July 31 removing the 1990s pipe grid, the installed power cables, and the patch system from the ceiling above the stage and audience areas.   The dimmer wall in the booth was taken down and new wiring was installed for the power stations over the stage.