Work wrapped Sept. 20 on a $4.7 million interior renovation of the theater, which since 1993 has been located at 201 W. Thomas St. at the Seattle Center.
The renovations were focused on the building’s lobby spaces and its main 482-seat theater (the Charlotte Martin Theatre) and are designed to improve accessibility and the overall theater going experience.
Designed by Owen Richards Architects, highlights include a comprehensive upgrade and remodel of the Charlotte Martin Theatre Lobby; enhanced accessibility features throughout the theater including new handrails and expanded wheelchair spaces; a new lobby mural by artist Juliana Kang Robinson; and the addition of new family restrooms.
Renovations began in late May. JTM Construction was the general contractor.
“The updates are designed to make SCT’s facilities more welcoming, up-to-date, and artistically enriching for all patrons,” says Cessalee Smith-Stovall, SCT deputy managing director.
The Charlotte Martin Theatre Lobby has undergone a comprehensive upgrade and now has a reconfigured ramp and stairs plus a new grand staircase to allow more light into the lobby. These innovations will result in a better flow of movement and more lobby space for patron activities. In addition, old lighting has been replaced and the space has been refreshed with upgraded finishes such as repainted walls.
In the Charlotte Martin Theatre, upgrades comprise seating reconfiguration to improve wheelchair seating capacity and overall circulation, seating repairs, addition of aisle handrails, and finish upgrades. Upgrades have also been made to improve wheelchair routes throughout the lobby and the theater expanding wheelchair capacity and creating flexible bays so that patrons who use wheelchairs will have options, with the space for as many as four wheelchairs to sit side by side.
The theater’s Eve Alvord Lobby, which leads to the 275-seat Eve Alvord Theatre, has also undergone a comprehensive upgrade, including finish and lighting replacement, the addition of one new family restroom, and upgrades to the Eve Alvord Theatre entry.
Two additional family restrooms, a wellness room, and a viewing room have been added to the balcony lobby of the Charlotte Martin Theatre. In spring of 2025, SCT will also roll out a complete overhaul of the theater’s 31-year-old lighting system.
Funding for the improvements and renovations came from the Extraordinary Giving Campaign launched in 2021. The campaign raised funds for operations, endowment investment, facilities upgrades and support for new programming initiatives.
Major donors include WA State Building for the Arts; Norcliffe Foundation; Reed Foundation; The Estate of Marilyn Dillard; SCT Board and Alumni Trustees; SCT Staff; Joshua Green Foundation; McEachern Foundation; Sunderland Foundation; Nesholm Family Foundation; and 4Culture King County.
The renovated spaces will be unveiled during a free community celebration event this Saturday Sept. 21 from 1-5 pm. Attendees will be able to tour the renovated lobby areas and Charlotte Martin Theatre. There will also be live music and activities for children.
SCT was founded in 1975 and today is a leading generator of new works for young people and their communities. A primary provider of theater education in the Puget Sound, SCT reaches over 130,000 individuals annually.
The organization’s 50th anniversary season will feature six shows focusing on epic journeys, including the world of Dav Pilkey with Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical, Paige Hernandez’s one-woman dance party Havana Hop, and a new and original adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen.