The Rose Theater Begins Dome Restoration
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 18, 2013
As part of a $6 million capital campaign, the three domes that stand atop the roof of The Rose Theater and contribute to its dramatic palace-like architecture are set to receive custom-made new copper cladding. Scaffolding will go up the week of June 17, and shortly after, a team of project consultants from BVH Architects, WJE Engineers and Kiewit Building Group will remove the old copper and replace it with new material.
The team will also repair the underlying wood structures that support the cladding and add insulation to prevent moisture build-up.
"The goal of the project is to stop rain and melted snow from leaking through the domes and damaging the interior of the theater," said Omaha Theater Company Managing Director Julie Walker. "Restoring the domes has required more work than we originally envisioned, but we are committed to their preservation and eager to get started on the final phase of work."
The new copper cladding will initially give the domes a rosy pink appearance. Over a 20-year- period, they will tarnish and may appear red or black before attaining the blue-green color commonly associated with aged copper. The copper currently on the domes was once painted to achieve the desired hue, but it will be left to age naturally this time, in keeping with architect John Eberson's original vision for the theater. The old material will be recycled and any proceeds will help offset the cost of the project.
To date, The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center Foundation has raised $5.5 million toward the $6 million goal for the capital campaign. Significant interior and exterior work has already been accomplished with the funds raised including:
-
The Rose Theater's roof near each of the three domes has been restored, and a new drainage system has been installed.
-
Over 400 new manufactured terra cotta pieces have been installed with durable steel fasteners.
-
Brick parapet work and joint repairs (tuck pointing and/or re-pointing) are complete.
-
Lighting, insulation and ceiling work in the administrative offices is complete.
- Window installation is complete including 16 replacements and nine new storm windows.
The dome restoration work is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The final project included in the capital campaign - the repair and repainting of the ceilings in the Rose Theater lobby and mezzanine - is scheduled for summer 2014.
The donors who have generously contributed so far to the capital campaign include: The Sherwood Foundation, Frances and Louis Blumkin Family Foundation, Anonymous, Kiewit Companies Foundation, Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation, Peter Kiewit Foundation, Lozier Foundation, Ahmanson Foundation, William and Ruth Scott, Parker Family Foundation, Iowa West Foundation, Becker Foundation, Pacific Life Foundation, David Scott Foundation, Sunderland Foundation, Adah and Leon Millard Foundation, Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Memorial Foundation and the Hawks Foundation.
For more information about the campaign, including a video about the project, please visit the "Support Us" tab on the Rose's website: www.rosetheater.org. Donations to the campaign are being accepted online at www.rosetheater.org or through The Rose Box Office at (402) 345-4849. Large donations and questions regarding the renovation and the fundraising effort can be directed to Julie Walker at (402) 502-4622 or juliew@rosetheater.org.
The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to support the preservation and maintenance of the historic Rose Theater. The Rose Foundation owns the theater, which is leased by the Omaha Theater Company.
Founded in 1949, the mission of the Omaha Theater Company is to enrich the lives of young people and their families through live theater and arts education. The company fulfills its mission by offering an exciting season of high-quality, youth-oriented drama productions, school field trips, in-school residencies and workshops, a wide range of performing arts classes, a dynamic youth theater program and a national tour.
Comments
Videos