The Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham, has opened the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, a state-of-the-art facility built for school and community use. The school is one of the top public, tuition-free arts and science schools in the nation for grades 7 to 12.
With 500 seats, the new theater, named for foundation board member Dorothy "Dodie" Jemison Day, will offer the arts community a much-needed alternative to both smaller and larger facilities. It also will provide a professional environment in which students will learn the inner workings, challenges and opportunities of performing on a professional stage.
Built with funds raised by the Alabama School of Fine Arts Foundation, the complex project took 18 months to complete.
Included in the 19,212-square-foot building is a 40-foot by 80-foot sprung stage floor with a mechanical orchestra lift, a 60-foot fly tower and an acoustical shell. Two audience restrooms, a green room, restrooms and dressing rooms for performers, and a scene shop are included. The building has Wi-Fi and a large high-definition movie screen. The sound and light booth is large enough for teaching 15 students at a time.
Live Design Group (Birmingham) is the architect for the project.
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