Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts

Location	Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Project Type	Historic Theater Restoration
Project Area	36,000 sq. ft.
Awards	Wisconsin Builder Magazine Top 20 Projects of 2001 2002 Wisconsin Historical Society Historic Preservation Certificate of Commendation 2002 International Masonry Institute Wisconsin Golden Trowel Award Best of Tile/Marble/Terrazzo

The Sheboygan Theatre is one of a very few "atmospheric" theatres remaining nationwide. After being converted into twin movie theatres in the 1980's and laying dormant and deteriorating for the majority of the 90's, the theatre was restored to its original character and transformed into a multi-purpose performing arts venue for the 21st century. Recreating the theatre's original ambiance, a night in a garden of old Spain, was done by restoring the theatre's castle-like stucco walls, columns, and balconies, ornate wrought iron sconces and chandeliers, and sky-like blue ceiling with twinkling star lights. The project also included an expanded stage, enlarged orchestra pit with hydraulic lift, the addition of dressing rooms and green room, wider seating with more leg room, and new and enlarged men's and ladies' toilet rooms. The major design challenges included retaining the historic character while creating a state-of-the-art facility and providing exiting and ADA accessibility to meet current building codes. Another major challenge was the incorporation and restoration of neighboring buildings for support and backstage spaces, including a ticket office adjacent to the historic entry lobby.