State-of-the-Art Facility Brings High Caliber Theater Experiences to Concord

BY SARAH SHINER

After an initially cautious re-emergence of its audiences post-pandemic, The Umbrella Arts Center this year has been buzzing with activity, sold-out events, and excitement as it celebrates its 40th anniversary season. Because COVID shut The Umbrella down within mere months of reopening in the fall of 2019 following years of renovation, many visitors are only now astonished and delighted to discover the vibrant theater experiences housed in this newly constructed gem right in the heart of historic Concord Center.

Entering through The Umbrella Main Art Gallery and a Studio wing lined with artwork by more than 55 working artists, the bright, eco-friendly atrium of the renovated 1929 Emerson School gives way to The Umbrella’s state-of-the-art 344-seat main stage theater and a 100-seat black box. Designed by OMR Architects as part of a $25M overall construction project, this ground-up rebuild was completed in the fall of 2019 to house its newly minted professional Umbrella Stage Company, national headliner concerts, and more.

The new wing at The Umbrella

©Pierre Chiha Photographers

The Umbrella Mainstage Theater 144 is a meticulously thought-out space boasting a large, curved proscenium stage, a fly system for dozens of scenic and lighting elements, and three sections of stadium-style seating designed for comfort (thick cushions and cupholders), accessibility, and great sightlines. Recent theatergoers called it “a spectacular venue” and “a really cool place to go see a play or a concert [with] not a bad seat in the house!”

The sophisticated lighting system offers a range from simple stage lighting to production-level design. The top-of-the-line sound system installed by ATR Treehouse pairs perfectly with the acoustics designed by Accentech that have been built into the space itself, perfect for big showstopping musicals and small intimate concerts by such headliners as Lyle Lovett, Indigo Girls, Lake Street Dive, and Ben Folds.

Fences by The Umbrella Stage Company

©Gillian Gordon

The digital Orchestra Room is located below and behind the house seats, with the conductor and stage performers connected via large-scale video monitors and digitally channeled music for 16 musicians. The completely sound-proofed room has acoustics perfect for doubling as a recording facility for radio, audio podcasts, and virtual concerts. Backstage, the Main Green Room and the Dance Studio offer high-quality amenities for all performing arts needs, so the space has also been a desirable rental venue for groups ranging from Alexander Children’s Theater to the international Thoreau Society.

Upstairs, the second-floor Black Box is a more intimate, immersive, and flexible setting for performances, workshops, lectures, or events. This 40’ x 40’ theater offers modular risers that can be used for seating or packed away to open up the space. Designed to be especially versatile, the Black Box is a transformable space that can be altered with lighting, sound, or with the built-in film projector.

The Mainstage Theater

Courtesy of The Umbrella Arts Center

Accessibility was at the forefront of the design for the renovated building, and the performing arts spaces are no exception. Both theaters are wheelchair-accessible with ground-level entrances and ramps at the front of the building. ADA wheelchair seating and ADA companion seating is available at various vantage points in the theater, and there is elevator access to the house and backstage areas. Assistive listening devices and large print program materials are available for patrons upon request.

To learn more, visit theumbrellaarts.org

Sarah Shiner is a Boston-based artist and creative. She is also the marketing associate at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord and works as a freelance designer.