Ulster Performing Arts Center

The Community Theatre or even Ulster Performing Arts Center ( UPAC ) called, originally named as the Broadway Theatre, located on Broadway in Kingston, New York in the United States. Constructed in 1926 neoclassical building is the only one in town remaining theater from the period before the Second World War that has not changed and is one of three such buildings from this time in the Hudson Valley. It with 1500 seats, the largest theater with proscenium between Manhattan and Albany.

It was recorded in 1979 in the National Register of Historic Places, two years after its closure due to declining profitability. It remained vacant until it was extensively renovated in the late 20th century, so it could be re- opened in 2002. Today it is operated by the Bardavon Theatre in nearby Poughkeepsie. In his previous existence, the theater building was used mainly as a cinema. Today, especially music venues, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Orchestra is located here because of the high quality acoustics and many musicians perform in UPAC on during her concert tours.

Building

The theater building is located on a 0.5 acre (2000 m²) large parcel of land on the south side of Broadway in the city center, halfway between Uptown and Downtown. The Broadway is built mainly industrial, the streets behind the theater are residential areas.

Exterior

For Broadway toward the northeast facade is two stories high and comprises eleven bays. The rear part of the theater is three to four storeys high and dominates the road block on which the theater stands. The whole building is built of brick, on the front eaves there is a roofed with granite balustrade with Aztec motifs. Smooth pilasters of granite form the corners of the building. The portico consists of four Corinthian columns and wearing a classic entablature. Other ornaments of the building are the protruding composite rows of stone, granite rectangles between the windows, the binder vertically placed over it and the granite base beneath.

Interior

The interior of the building is arranged around the auditorium. This is semi-circular and has an orchestra pit below the stage. The rows of seats and boxes have over 1500 seats. The stage itself is 23 m wide and 10 m deep. The proscenium arch rises to a height of 12 m above the stage floor and is decorated with alternating octagons, leafy candelabra and other motives. The stage is framed by fluted Corinthian columns on both sides, the surrounding walls are decorated with stone carvings. Above this is a very detailed pediment whose cornice is provided with lion heads, Anthemion and egg and leaf bar moldings. On the frieze sitting bull skull, candelabra, signs and garlands.

The flat ceiling dome is designed similarly. It has cassette and a simple lattice and solid, recessed corbels, Anthemions and other leaf motifs parts. Rosettes mark the joints. To the central recess is a broad band with urns, rosettes and decorative frame. The edge has lion heads and a Anthemienfries. The plastered walls are less elaborately ornamented; only simple rectangles were used. The inner lobby has a decoration that addresses both the issues of the auditorium and the azetekischen motives of the facade. This mixture is also reflected in the hall on the second floor where the fireplace is surrounded by gemeißtelten stones, Other spaces, such as the outer lobby, toilets and changing rooms are kept simple.

History

The history of the theater begins in 1925 when a couple from Kingston and a man from Albany a company with a capital of 5300 dollars ( in today's prices: 73,000 ). The following year they bought the land and began with the sale of bonds to raise more money. They commissioned the well-known New York architect Douglas P. Hall and in October 1926 began the construction of the building, which was performed by the general contractor Sinner & Cook also from New York City.

The construction was continued during the winter and the size of the state of Derrick was used to mount the steel skeleton for auditorium and proscenium. At the opening ceremony in June 1927 under the name Broadway Theatre Daily Freeman called the theater "one of the most beautiful theaters in the Hudson River Valley." The 1703 premiere guests were five vaudeville pieces shown and the comedy The Cradle Snatchers by Howard Hawks. The day after the regular program began with three daily screenings.

By 1947, the owner of the theater had gewechsel three times. The Walter Reade Organization bought it this year and renamed it in Community Theatre. 1951 was the front portico. Inside, the seats has been replaced; the capacitance dropped to 1560 places.

The theater continued to be an important part of the cultural life of the city. Bette Davis and Lillian Gish were among the actors who appeared here, Isaac Stern and Victor Borges praised the theater because of its acoustics. The decline of Kingston's lower town began with the increasing suburbanization in the 1970s. Reade closed the theater in 1977 and made ​​especially to compete with shopping malls responsible with their multi- screen cinemas. To prevent the possible demolition of the theater, a non-profit organization was founded. This was called Ulster Performing Arts Center and bought the theater then.

In 1995, the organization had applied sufficient finances to invest 1.7 million dollars in the renovation, which was completed in time for the 75th anniversary of the theater in 2002. The Bardavon Theatre began with the operation of UPACs in 2006 and a year later the two organizations were merged.