The Hanover Theater was designed and built as a live performance theater with a stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms and other necessary spaces.  If the theater were to be built today, the configuration of these areas would be almost exactly the same.  Most of the original technical equipment is still in the theater, but it is nearly 80 years old and is now obsolete. The restoration of the theater will update all of the theater's technical systems to today's technology.
     While there was a "renovation" to the public areas of the theater in 1960, the seating area, lobbies and restrooms are almost as they were when the theater opened in 1928.  Roof leaks have caused extensive damage to the decorative plasterwork which adorns the theater.  The restoration of the theater will repair the public areas of the theater to their original splendor while updating the restrooms to modern standards.
     When the theater closed in 1986, the original furnace and boiler were still in use.  While they had been converted from coal to natural gas, they both are now obsolete.  The theater was built with an air conditioning which was updated several times as technology improved, but it too is now obsolete.  A new heating and air conditioning system will be installed as part of the restoration.

The restoration of the Hanover Theater will be carried out in several phases.

     Phase 2, Planning, Permits and Financing - One the theater has been protected from further damage, we will create drawings ("blueprints") that will be used to plan the restoration.  We will then work with architects, engineers, Borough Officials and our technical advisors to create the Master Plan for the restored theater (if you are an architect or engineer who would like to volunteer your services, please contact us).  Once we have created the Master Plan for the restoration we will explore the world of financing and secure grants, gifts and loans to fund the restoration.

     Phase 3, Mechanical Systems - The bulk of the restoration will consist of replacement of the theater's mechanical systems.  The  electrical system (most of which is original) will be modernized and the system's capacity will be increased to handle modern lighting and sound equipment.  New heating and air conditioning systems will be installed and the plumbing will be updated and expanded as we add accessible restrooms.  The theater was built with fire sprinklers over the stage, in the dressing rooms and in the boiler room, however when the heat was turned off in 1987 the pipes froze and burst.  The existing sprinkler system will be replaced and expanded to cover the entire building.

    Phase 4, Theater Systems - Stage technology has come a long way in 80 years and we will be replacing all of the stage equipment.  Above the stage the old rope and sand bag system for moving scenery will be replaced with a safer system which uses heavy cables and steel counterweights.  If needed, new steel beams will be added just below the roof of the stage to support the new system.  The lighting system (which originally consisted of several banks of colored lights) will be replaced with a system capable of controlling over 800 lights.  High above the seating area pipes and outlets for lighting equipment will be added.

    Phase 5, Plaster Repair and Painting - After all the dirty work is done we'll work on making the theater beautiful again.  All of the damaged plaster will be repaired and repainted to look like new.  Once the scaffolding is out of the way the new seating will be installed and our grand opening won't be far away!

    Phase 6, Exterior Repairs - The theater's limestone facade is showing signs of its age and it will be restored, a process that may require us to completely disassemble and rebuild it.  The marquee will also be completely overhauled, updating its wiring and strengthening it.  The theater originally had a giant "blade" sign which spelled out the theater's name vertically.  Someday we'd like to add a new one.    

When all of the work has been completed we will have a modern Performing Arts Center
that is ready for at least another 80 years of service.