Trying to build a theater

[gafftaper]

My building was completed a little over a year ago. It's about a 55'x55' black box with seating for 200, dressing rooms, small green room, ticket booth, concession stand, small costume store room and a good sized shop (25'x50), full catwalks, loaded very nicely with lighting, sound, video gear and tools for the shop. Total price: a little under $5 million. Took nearly 3 years from early design meetings until completion. With the rapidly increasing costs of construction I bet it would be over $6 million if you started today.

Be sure to purchase all loose lighting, sound, and video gear yourself (things that don't require professional installation). Do not lump them into the contract with the contractor or you'll pay 2 to 3 times the list price.

Send me a PM if you have any questions. Also be sure to ask future questions in the facilities forum. This forum is more for saying hello than detailed discussions.