JACKSON, MI – The Michigan Theatre of Jackson is seeking help to fund major renovations needed for the historic building.
Executive Director Steve Tucker is seeking $6.1 million through a capital campaign to maintain the downtown Jackson theater’s historical significance while bringing it to the 21st century. The projects consists of an extended stage, an upgraded balcony, new HVAC, updated carpet and more.
“We kind of felt like this is a great time for us to really make a push,” Tucker said. “Over the last 10 years since I’ve been here, we’ve saved some money and we’ve managed to put it away. We’re ready to put every dollar we have into making this thing great again and now we just need some help from the citizenry.”
The Michigan Theatre of Jackson is a nonprofit that aims to provide classic entertainment and experiences in the historic venue at 124 N. Mechanic St. The theater is the last and largest theater built in downtown Jackson, officials said. It opened April 30, 1930, to bring mainstream popular entertainment of the day, which was vaudeville shows and movies, to town.
Read more: Peek Through Time: Historic Michigan Theatre Jackson’s last link to golden age of movie palaces
Today, the building still shows movies, live performances and concerts. Over the years, technology in the building has become outdated, plaster has been falling apart and the stage cannot fit the bigger shows that happen today, Tucker said.
Some of the biggest projects that will be tackled with funds through the capital campaign consist of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which is needed to keep the air quality good for attendees, Tucker said. This project needs to come first before other portions of the project are done, he said.
“Without air purification and humidity control, nothing else matters because we have to have fresh air brought into a higher degree than ever before with COVID and any airborne problem viruses,” Tucker said.
The new HVAC systems also needs to be installed before the plaster is updated as well, Tucker said. The building’s interior is covered with lavish plasterwork, which has aged over time and seen some water damage.
To keep the building historically accurate to its exotic Spanish style, a proper restoration is in order, Tucker said.
“Only a few companies in the country do this sort of restoration plaster. In other words, they’re artists, artisans that have learned to copy and improve on the skills of 1930 artisans,” Tucker said.
Some of the biggest changes people may notice, however, is extending the main stage and reconstructing the balcony. Plans currently call to extend and elevate the stage to the edge of the original orchestra pit, which was built in the 1930s.
This will add an additional 800 square feet to the stage which will be used to bring in and accommodate bigger performances, such as ballet, symphony and events that require more stage area, Tucker said.
“Our stage is 1934 small. It’s like 34 feet across, and it’s not real deep either,” he said. “So, we’re limited, and this really doesn’t really give us a lot of options.”
Additionally, the balcony, currently configured for individual seats, will be changed to box seating with safety rails, Tucker said. This will allow for more privacy and will hopefully increase the usage in these seats, he added.
“We only use the balcony – I’m going to say nine times a year,” Tucker said. “The new proposed balcony is going to give boxes for people to come in and either spend the time with their family or their companies with a little bit more private service,”
Other improvements include a new carpet to replace one that is 90 years old, as well as new lighting, upgrades to the ticket booth, new paint and improvements to the bathrooms.
The Michigan Theatre of Jackson officially launched the capital campaign Tuesday, Nov. 29. So far, it’s been met with a lot of community support and has raised more than $4,000, Tucker said.
There is no exact timeline for when projects would take place, but they will be started when the funds become available, Tucker said.
More information and a virtual tour the Michigan Theatre of Jackson can be found on its website. To donate or find out more, click here.
More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot:
Attic fire displaces Jackson family with multiple pets
Community helps Rockin’ Rodney get a new moped after his burned in a fire
Pets of the week: Lincoln needs a calm house. Marvel has a cute goatee
$1M bond set, trial scheduled for Jackson man charged in fatal stabbing
Anna’s Gifts & Décor saying goodbye to Jackson after 38 years
