WXXI: Work to Resume on Nazareth Theater (2008-09-22)

Nazareth College broke ground on its new arts center Friday, with help from a grant from State Senator Jim Alesi. College president Daan Braveman credits Alesi with bringing in $4 million from the state's capital projects budget for the theater project, and $1 million for the school's music program.

Braveman says Nazareth's goal is to build the community's premier mid-sized theater, while having an economic impact on the community.

"Our annual programs we estimate bring about $4 million in revenue to the community, and we're projecting that our summer dance program the first year will bring about a half a million, so the theater supports our academic programs, but also supports the community."

Braveman says it's fair to ask why a private college is receiving state funds. He says the answer is that the school is meeting a need for a mid-sized theater in the community, and that the economic returns will pay for the investment of taxpayer dollars. Braveman also notes that the college will pick up the operating costs for the theater once it's constructed.

Construction on the 1,000-seat theater was halted over the summer because bids from contractors revealed that the cost of materials exceeded the funds that the school had to build it. The school looked for a scaled-back redesign, and is going forward with that plan, with the help of the state funding. The new version of the plan, which accommodates an expanded backstage area without raising the roof of the building, will cost about $10.5 million in total.

The arts center will also include a new lounge, art gallery, proscenium stage and entrance to the building. It's set to be unveiled in fall 2009. Originally the center was supposed to be completed in summer 2009.

The $1 million music school grant will go to building more space for the school's burgeoning music education and therapy programs.

Nazareth's theater will be the home of the Rochester City Ballet and will continue to provide the space for Garth Fagan Dance and the Rochester Children's Theater. This summer Nazareth will start a dance festival that will feature companies from around the world.

Phase one construction on the theater will pick back up again on Monday.