Theater is ancient; today’s not at all

Accessibility, lights and sound are key to upgrades at major Queens venues

by Mark Lord Chronicle Contributor

The development of theater as a vital part of society can be traced as far back as the classical period of ancient Greece some 2,500 years ago, and its continuing evolution into the 21st century may be evidenced with the modernization of many of the performing venues right here in our own backyard, three of which are highlighted below.

Queensborough Performing Arts Center, in existence since 1965, is located on the campus of Queensborough Community College in Bayside. It recently underwent its first major renovation, which, according to Executive and Artistic Director Susan Agin, “came out of the necessity to remove existing barriers within QPAC to accommodate patrons with disabilities in compliance with the latest Americans with Disabilities Act.”

What started out as a $3.7 million project ultimately resulted in a complete overhaul to the tune of $15 million. The exploding budget was the result, in part, of the “heightened costs for materials and labor post-Covid,” Agin said.

In other parts of the borough, plans for facelifts are underway at two additional theatrical mainstays, Kupferberg Center for the Arts, on the campus of Queens College in Flushing, and Black Spectrum Theatre on the border of Jamaica and St. Albans.

Beginning July 1, Colden Auditorium, the jewel of the Kupferberg complex, with just over 2,000 seats, will be closed for approximately one year for “major upgrades and renovations on the infrastructure and theatrical production capabilities,” said Kupferberg’s director, Jon Yanofsky.

The multimillion-dollar project is a “huge endeavor,” Yanofsky said.

A cultural staple since 1961, the venue has presented a wide variety of artists over the years, reflecting the diversity of the borough’s residents.

Colden’s upcoming season will find temporary homes at two other campus venues, LeFrak Concert Hall and the Goldstein Theater.

Carl Clay, who founded Black Spectrum in 1970 to provide the community with AfricanAmerican cultural expression through contemporary theater and film, continues to lead the company. He recently indicated that renovations at the site “would allow us to have a modern look and to make internal changes — expand the museum and expand areas for the community to put on events.”

He added that the city is putting $125 million into building a recreation center in Roy Wilkins Park, home to his theater, which he said will remain in its current building.

“We’re in the process of putting architectural plans together to do over the theater and the lobby,” he said.

While the end results of those renovations will likely provide audiences with many pleasurable experiences in the years to come, accomplishing the changes is no simple task.

“We began making provisions for the ADA project in the fall of 2017 by presenting a number of shows in alternate venues and by hosting a number of dinner theater programs at popular neighborhood restaurants,” Agin said. “The demolition work actually began in December 2018.”

Five years later, “We’re back in the theater full-time,” she said.

“QPAC is now fully accessible. There is equal access to the building for those with disabilities, accessible box seating, fully renovated and accessible restrooms and dressing rooms, a new ADAcompliant elevator, new ticket booth and refreshment area,” Agin said.

Renovations at the theater also include new acoustical finishes, she added.

“Our theater is now equipped with all-new sound and lighting equipment that includes digital sound and lighting consoles, new multitiered house speakers, multipurpose LED lighting fixtures, fully programmable moving lights, state-of-the-art infrared listening devices and more,” she said.

Agin acknowledged former City Councilmember Daniel Dromm for allocating $500,000 toward the sound and lighting upgrades, an amount matched by the state.

In keeping with the changing times, an enlarged lobby at QPAC now includes two gender-neutral bathrooms.

“The moment you step inside the theater, you are transported into a venue that feels like an intimate Radio City Music Hall,” Agin said.

Plans for Colden include upgrading both the theatrical and house lighting to all-LED lighting, according to Yanofsky. Digital projection capabilities, a key component for touring artists and for set design, is also on the agenda, he said. “It gives us a much greater variation” when it comes to the types of performances that will be possible, he explained.

In addition, Yanofsky said improved internal communications are planned, as well as new stage risers and microphone packages.

Besides the work planned for Colden, Yanofsky said that “we hope to secure funding for LeFrak Concert Hall,” as well.

Clay expressed hope that the future will bring to his venue a new lighting system, new seating and additional stage mechanics that will allow productions to fly in sets.

A new chair lift for those with disabilities has already been installed, and “we’re looking to redo our bathrooms,” Clay said. If all goes well, additional major work on the theater will begin next summer, he added.

Streaming of selected productions, necessitated by the arrival of Covid-19, will continue, Clay said: “People would appreciate that. Some people are still reluctant to come out.”

Along the same lines, Agin said, “Remaining on the cusp of new forms of entertainment includes live streaming and virtual events, and programming that invites audience members to participate through social media platforms. Some of our performances also integrate video and gaming components.”

Meanwhile, the lawn in front of Black Spectrum (in Roy Wilkins Park at 77th Street and

Baisley Boulevard) was recently redone by the Department of Parks and Recreation, with shrubbery and benches added to the site, Clay noted. A free outdoor summer café will take full advantage of the upgrade, with performances twice a week beginning today, June 22, kicking off with “Tribute to Ladies of Soul.” Other attractions will include “A Tribute to the Dells” and “Ladies of Motown.” Shows at the café are scheduled for Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m.

In fact, whether the renovations at the respective venues already have been completed or remain ongoing or are yet to come, all three, along with many others in the borough, are gearing up for a summer filled with special attractions.

QPAC will present “A Disney Singalong Tribute,” described as the “ultimate Disney experience band for Disney fanatics of all ages,” today, June 22, at 7 p.m. in Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village and other dates around the borough. Admission is free.

Next up for QPAC, June 25 brings “Richie Santa: A Tribute to the King,” a free performance in tribute to Elvis Presley, to Hillcrest Jewish Center (183-02 Union Tpke., Fresh Meadows) at 3 p.m.

And at QPAC’s newly refurbished venue at Queensborough Community College (222-05 56 Ave., Bayside), audiences will be treated to The Modern Gentlemen, a quartet that has appeared alongside Frankie Valli for the last decade, performing pop, rock and doo-wop classics for a modern audience. Show date is Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $33 to $58.

Coming up at Kupferberg is “American Symphony Orchestra: American Expressions” on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. The program, to be presented at LeFrak Concert Hall (153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing), highlights different forms of expression that emerged in the 1920s, including new elements of dance, theater and jazz. Tickets are free.

On Oct. 7 at 8 p.m., Kupferberg will present vocalist Gretchen Parlato and guitarist Lionel Loueke in concert, also at LeFrak. The program tells the story of 20 years of inspiration and friendship between the two musical soulmates. Tickets range from $30 to $40.

With all the advances being made in theater, it’s unlikely that Aristophanes and his contemporaries would even recognize it as the same institution that they had been a part of so many centuries ago. Q