Alumnae Theatre Company (“ATC”) intends to retain the services of a qualified consulting firm to undertake a Feasibility Study for improvements to an existing heritage facility, the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St (at Adelaide St E), Toronto, M5A 2W6.
Alumnae Theatre has set aside funds in the range of $20,000 for this feasibility study.
The objectives of this study are to provide options for greater accessibility to the Studio and the backstage of the Mainstage, recommendations for upgrading Mainstage’s infrastructure to contemporary digital sound and lighting, and recommendations to improve air quality in the building, if required.
ATC, founded over 100 years ago, is Canada’s oldest women-run theatre company. Since 1972, we have managed and renovated the city-owned, historically designated former firehall at 70 Berkeley St. at Adelaide St East. The street-level is accessible, featuring a lobby with 3 gender neutral washrooms and 140 seat proscenium Mainstage theatre. Regretfully, the actual stage and its one wing are not accessible to performers using wheelchairs. We lack supportive equipment for audience members and performers with hearing or sight challenges. It is exhausting to climb several flights of stairs to reach the third floor Studio.
Since moving in 49 years ago, we have not substantially upgraded Mainstage Theatre. Our analogue lighting equipment, sound equipment and consoles have been replaced repeatedly with second-hand equipment. Repairs are frequent; emergency replacements are expensive.
As other facilities begin to offer state of the art technical systems, and increasingly support the needs of those with accessibility challenges, ATC finds itself less and less competitive. Addressing these shortfalls has become critical.
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Closing date: 04/07/2021