The Traverse City State Theatre has been a Traverse City landmark for decades. I'll always remember a story my Grandmother told he of her youth when she, her Mother and brother, lived in an upstairs apartment across from the Traverse City State Theatre. She was a young girl of 9 years old and explained the commotion that happened that day - the year was 1923 - the State Theatre had caught fire and burned. She explained of the intense heat that was radiated across the street and how hot the windows in her apartment became. Her mother feared they would shatter from the intense heat and instructed her not to touch or get near them.
During my years of growing up in Traverse City, the State Theatre was really the theatre of choice being downtown with its exterior lights which heightened any movie going experience. Sure there was the newly constructed cinema in Acme and the one that used to sit near where the current gas pumps are at Meijers, but they are both long gone now.
Early this last summer, I crossed paths with Alan Collard. In casual conversation upon meeting, he shared with me his passion of the State Theatre and all the areas he was involved with regards to volunteering his time to help organize future projects. Allen was searching to complete one of the last areas of the almost totally restored theatre. I told Allen, I know who will help. I explained my relationship with Angela & Mike Goodall, owners of Kitchen Choreography here in Traverse City. They are a team of very talented, service oriented, dedicated professionals who turn out among the finest custom kitchens & baths in Northern Michigan. A phone call later, the Goodalls made themselves available to meet with Allen, Nicole & I at the State Theatre to mull over the details and to brainstorm.
The Green Room - This is the area the performers use to ready for the stage. (Madonna - used it this last summer) Currently, it consists of a sparse plywood vanity running the length of a wall, a section of mirrors above that, a meager bathroom off to the side and very poor lighting. There is pipework running here and there across the ceiling and walls of painted brick from
1918.
As the busy summer season began to give way to slower paces and a shift of responsibilities, layouts were drawn and they produced 6 cabinets planned for the State Theatre's Green Room. Construction was started about 3 weeks ago and Mike has been very good with me...I always insist he double checks my measurements. We all know the saying "
measure twice - cut once." These cabinets are being made from scratch. Planks of solid cherry and maple went into them. Its been a great learning experience for me...wood working has never been my thing. Mike Goodall who usually serves as one of his companies project managers, knows is his stuff when it comes to getting his hands dirty and cabinet making. I hadn't seen this part of Mike, he's very technically minded.
Our deadline is the beginning of this years Traverse City Film Festival staring July 28 - August 2nd, 2009. We believe we will be finished with time to spare. It's been great to be part of this process, I feel very fortunate to be part of it. As you work away measuring, cutting, fitting, sanding and seeing the cabinets take shape, you can only fall into the wonderment of the number of years, after we are no longer, that they will continue to serve the Traverse City State Theatre's "Green Room."
Labels: Traverse City Downtown, Traverse City Film Festival, Traverse City State Theatre
