Comments from RonCarter

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RonCarter
RonCarter commented about Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Jun 21, 2011 at 6:32 pm

The Strand has now been opened 2 and ½ years. We have had over 300 events each in 2009 and 2010. This includes our event space and the auditorium. Eve Grey, a local decorator has completely redone our lobby in Tuscan plaster, to include new door finishes, new counter fronts, and a copper paint on the main lobby ceiling. She is a gem and has really brought back a 30s look from the industrial grade work done by the contractor we hired. We now have a wonderful George Wright four manual theatre organ that was a gift to the Atlanta Chapter of ATOS from Tom Hamilton of Columbus, Ohio. This digital theatre organ replica has 24, 90 lb speaker cabinets placed strategically in the four pipe organ chambers that were constructed during our adaptive restortation. Our efforts to restore the pipe organ have fallen aside but this Allen sounds like a million dollars and the console sits on its own scissors lift that rises from the bottom of the orchesta pit 10ft to concert level. We will have had four silent feature length films and a silent comedy complilation (on July 17)plus the organ is used for private events and parties, weddings and for pre-shows of 17 films for our classic film series in 2011. We attempt to screen all of our films like a delux movie theatre would have done with an organ preshow to include sing-a-long, film introduction, raising the grand curtain as the film begins etc. etc. We are struggling to make ends meet during this economy and still owe 1.5 on our construction loan. Earl Reece the Executive Director is a tremendous person and works tirelessly for the theatre. Rentals are down so he is directing and producing several shows himself. Thanks-Ron Carter-Secretary to the Strand Board, Chairman of the Facilities Committee and House Organist.

RonCarter
RonCarter commented about Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Dec 25, 2007 at 9:11 am

STRAND REACHES 3.1 Million fund raising mark and renovations BEGIN:

Everyone-We are on track for completing the renovations by the end of 2008. The inside of the theatre is completely scaffolded with demo of the old acoustical tile ceiling and roof repairs ongoing. The stage floor and under stage dressing rooms are are framed in and the organ blower room has been constructed AND 14" air-tight metal windline has been run to the lower level of the organ chambers. The final architectural drawings are complete and let me tell you this is going to be the ART DECO showplace of Georgia. The administrative offices and upper level reception room is under construction. This will require that a portion of the roof at the front of the theatre be moved up several week to accomodate these changes. The old 1935 HVAC 30" air supply lines on top of the roof have been removed. This portion will insure that the theatre is completely dryed in for the winter with a brand new roof, replacement of bad roof joists etc. Along with the Marietta Fire Department I climbed the scaffolding to the top of the auditorium to inspect the HUGE steel orginal beams. This building was built to last. It was fun to actually touch the top of the auditorium next to the roof and look at the art deco bolsters still in place that will be restored. A decision was made to enlarge the STrand stage by moving the Proscenium forward about 8'. This will give us a depth of 25' to the back wall, with a 28' wide proscenium. Outside the Proscenium will be a curved stage appron adding an additional 5' of stage. The organ lift was been moved to in front of the stage appron in its own pit. Talking about the organist being in the best seat of the house!

We have also hired an Executive Director, MR. Earl Reese who has been in performing arts in our school system for over 25 years as director the Pebblebrook Performing Arts Center. He knows and is known by everyone in the arts in our area which is going to be a real plus for theatre bookings. He also is very supportive of the installation of the theatre pipe organ.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Strand Board

RonCarter
RonCarter commented about Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Jul 23, 2007 at 2:10 pm

STRAND THEATRE UPDATE

Everyone- We have recently reached our 2nd capital campaign goal of 2.3 million and have started on the last phase of our fundraising while also beginning our renovations. The Theatre is now scheduled to be open in the summer of 2008. It will have approximately 600 seats and Class A conference and meeting areas. We have also hired our first paid employee-Christy Rosell who is Director of Business Development and Marketing. This will be an adaptive restoration bringing the theatre back to its 1935 Art Deco feel and look while using the latest technology in projection and sound. The total project will be in the neighborhood of 3.8 million. Included will be the building preparation for a 1920’s theatre pipe organ of 20+ ranks that will have double stacked chambers on each side of the Proscenium. New Dressing rooms, blower room for the organ and a console elevator are also be prepared for. This is an exciting project that I have been involved with now for over 4 years. The theatre will have an elevator going to all four levels, an outdoor terrace overlooking the Marietta square and a electronic marquee designed to look like the orginal art deco of 1935. Please go to our website at www.friendsofthestrand.org for more detailed information.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand Board

RonCarter
RonCarter commented about Earl Smith Strand Theatre on May 12, 2005 at 1:08 pm

The Friends of the Strand have recently completed a soft demo of the theatre interior. This included removing all of the modifications made during the 1960’s remodling and the additions made for the beer draft house. This opened up a larger area under the lobby and stage. The sheet rock lobby restrooms, 1960’s offices etc are now gone. Rick Sibly of Sibly and Associates is currently preparing drawings and research for the adaptive restoration of the theater to include a new Prosenium Arch (destroyed in a 1980’s fire), theatre pipe organ chambers, a lobby elevator etc. The Theatre roof, HVAC, Electrical and plumbing will be completely replaced. The 1935 Art Deco Look will be restored to as close as the original as possible based on photographs, newspaper articles, and personal recollections. Our fund raising efforts now exceed $600,000. Seating will be reduced from its original 875 to between 600 and 700 seats depending on ADA and code requirements. We are excited about the progress of this theatre’s coming to new life.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand

RonCarter
RonCarter commented about Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Feb 17, 2005 at 10:03 am

Patsy

I believe that you were looking at the Theatre in the Square which is on the opposite side of the Square and is a black box theatre in a remodled store front. They have about 200 seats and do great productions. The STRAND is across the square on the NE Corner. We will be returing the box office and Marquee to its original 1935 design. We have also recieved additional gifts and our fundraising now tops the $600,000 level which is mostly corporate gifts. We hope to start grass roots fundraising toward the end of the year where a person can by a seat in the theatre etc. Preliminary interior demo work is to start sometime in late March. This is sheet rock walls, a kitchen that was installed under the balcony when it was a Pew and Brew. An architect and historical consulant have also been retained. We cannot find the plans for this building so the Architect is going to have to measure and draw up new ones. We have got to get all of the modernization that was done in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s out of the theatre.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand

RonCarter
RonCarter commented about Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Oct 20, 2004 at 8:22 am

Friends of the Strand have new web site full of photos and information about the Strand Theatre. Please go to www.friendsofthestrand.com for additional information. New information will soon be on the site about the Robert Morton Theatre Organ that will be installed in this Art Deco house.

Ron Carter
Secretary to the Friends of the Strand

RonCarter
RonCarter commented about Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Jun 11, 2004 at 1:25 pm

Friends of the Strand sign 50 year lease with the Goldstein Family.
On May 28th after 2 years of negotiation and research a group of community leaders and business people will begin a fund raising effort to raise 5 million dollars to renovate and restore the Art Deco 875 seat movie house. The Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society is donating its 18 rank Robert Morton Theatre Organ to Friends of the Strand Inc. for installation in the theatre.

A new Proscenium arch, Organ chambers and stage will be constructed. The seating capacity will be reduced to around 700 to compensate for the new enlarged stage and organ chambers. The organ Console with rise from the basement on its on elevator-center stage.

The theatre will boost state of the art sound and projection equipment. Extensive research was performed by Erica Taylor of the Savannah COllege of Art and Design on the history of the Strand.

Marietta Ga. is the county seat of Cobb County a northwest suburb of Atlanta, Ga, with a population of over 700,000 persons. The Strand sits on a thriving town square of resturants and businesses. It will be used for concerts, movie screenings, and corporate events.

Grand Opening sometime in early 2006

Submitted by Ron Carter Secretary to Friends of the Strand