Recent Building Projects and Historic Preservation
During the summer of 2001, Walnut Street Theatre completed a number of projects to enhance artistry and preserve the historic building.
One of these projects was the restoration of its 160-year-old Mainstage grid. In a theatre, a grid is a structure comprised of boards and beams that is suspended from the roof of the building over the stage. This grid then serves as the support structure from which key theatrical elements are hung, including stage curtains, pieces of scenery, lighting equipment and sound equipment. During the months of July and August, all of the old, worn wooden beams were replaced, steel reinforcement was added, and all of the mechanisms used to move scenery on and off stage was upgraded. This made the Walnut safer, allowed freedom to install more elaborate sets and preserved the integrity of the world's oldest continuously operating theatre. This project was supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Photos of Recent Restoration Projects | click to enlarge
A second project was an upgrade of Mainstage lighting. This project optimized lighting safety and efficiency, and gave greater freedom to employ more creative lighting techniques. This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
