Backstage at the Quality Hill Playhouse

Backstage at the Playhouse

Phase II of our renovation and expansion is complete! In 2007, Quality Hill Playhouse embarked on a $5 million capital campaign to renovate and expand our facility. (Full details about the project are below.) Thanks to the generosity of our loyal patrons and the Kansas City philanthropic community, we have successfully raised over $3 million and have completed the first two phases of our three phase campaign.
	Phase I was completed in April 2009, resulting in a larger and updated lobby, expanded public restrooms (shown below), a convenient, on-site box office, new backstage spaces including the Ingram Green Room and a laundry room (shown at right), expanded dressing rooms for the actors and administrative offices for our staff.
	Men's public restroom (left) and entrance to public restrooms with new water fountains (right).
	Phase II was completed in September, in time for the opening of our 2009-2010 season. Audiences have enjoyed the updated surroundings - new carpet and paint, refurbished seats, and a completely new lighting system that has enhanced the production values of our shows.

	We are working hard to raise money for Phase III, which includes a rehearsal room, meeting and reception space, and a full-service restaurant and bar for the enjoyment of our patrons and the surrounding downtown community. Although a picture may be worth a thousand words, the pictures on this page aren't enough to appreciate the changes we've made. We hope to see you at our next show, Come Fly With Me, to see it for yourself!
Continued below are blog entries from the work in progress. Read about our progress as it unfolded from 2007 to 2009.
Demolition in summer 2008 prepares the way for expansion
Demolition of the space set to become our administrative offices and will transform expanded backstage was completed in summer 2008. Kent personally got the "first whack," and the crew from J. E. Dunn Construction successfully completed the rest. In early 2009, workers transformed this space into our box office and administrative offices, green room, laundry room and expanded dressing rooms. Soon our operations will be much more efficient with our entire staff located on site at the Playhouse.
Project Overview Quality Hill Playhouse currently occupies 2,000 square feet of space in 10 Central Garage. This space accommodates 153 patrons, a small technical booth and very small backstage dressing rooms. The lobby and public restrooms are too small and desperately need to be updated. There is no on-site box office where patrons can purchase tickets. In November 2007, we launched a $5 million comprehensive campaign to expand our facility to 15,000 square feet. By occupying all commercial space in 10 Central Garage, we will be able to provide much-desired amenities, including a full-service restaurant and bar, new and expanded restrooms, larger lobby, convenient on-site box office, separate meeting and reception space, backstage space, a laundry and storage room, rehearsal room, larger dressing rooms for actors, and administrative offices for our staff.

The restaurant will be adjacent to the lobby and bar area with seating for 153 guests and will offer full food and beverage service, including breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Meal/show packages will be available to those who want to dine prior to or after a performance. Patrons of nearby arts events also can enjoy a pre-fix dinner before their show or drinks and dessert afterward. Theatre and restaurant patrons alike will enjoy the spacious new lobby. The bar will be adjacent to the lobby, providing beverage service to QHP patrons prior to the performance, during intermission and after the show, as well as the general public.

In addition to providing desired amenities for our patrons, the restaurant will provide a new earned-income revenue stream for the nonprofit parent organization. The restaurant will be a for-profit corporation, wholly owned by the nonprofit, providing additional income that will help fund the growth and long-term sustainability of the Playhouse.
In keeping with our goal of improving the theatre experience for patrons and actors, the project includes an overhaul and expansion of the actors' dressing rooms; the addition of backstage space, a rehearsal room, and storage space; and the construction of new restrooms for patrons and actors. In addition to the expanded facilities, we will renovate the playhouse with updated surroundings for audience members and state-of-the-art technical equipment. The intimate nature of the venue, which has become the hallmark of Quality Hill Playhouse, will be preserved.
The comprehensive campaign has three objectives - capitalize the restaurant and theatre improvements, cover three year's operating expenses and create an endowment. As of December 2008, we have raised over $2.8 million of our $5 million goal. Broadway Square Partners, the landlord of 10 Central Garage, is fully supportive of the project, offering a very generous lease rate for 20 years. If you are interested in supporting this exciting campaign to completely revitalize the corner of 10th and Central into an entertainment showplace, please contact Sharon Chinnery, CFRE Director of Development and Public Relations 816-421-1700 SChinnery@QualityHillPlayhouse.com