Proctors Collaborative prepares for the future while preserving the past

Under the hood upgrades and renovations at three venues help to ensure longevity

While patrons may not immediately notice the changes, a tremendous amount of work happened under the hood at Proctors Collaborative venues this year to preserve, modernize, and future-proof these historic gathering places — Proctors, Capital Repertory Theatre, and Universal Preservation Hall.

According to CEO Philip Morris, “These are old buildings. Even if they weren’t, maintenance and modernization are essential. This is about making sure the guest experience is wonderful — and that requires a lot of work under the hood.”

Ceiling and cooling upgrades at theREP

Two major improvements are underway at theREP to help maintain efficiency in the building.

New fabric ceiling in the Costume Shop

The costume area at theREP has undergone a transformation with the installation of a two-layer fabric ceiling. Previously, peeling paint from the original wooden joists meant staff constantly had to cover costumes to protect them from falling debris. The new ceiling brightens the room and greatly improves daily working conditions.

Split HVAC system installation

An uncooled stairwell adjacent to the green room was creating condensation in the ductwork, resulting in increasing humidity affecting the costume area. A new split-unit air conditioning system was installed to regulate the temperature and humidity in the stairwell will help stabilize the building’s internal climate.

New flooring for a better experience at UPH

The Great Hall received new flooring thanks to funding from the New York State Council and other partners. The original floor turned out to be too “soft” for regular use. Any tape used for securing wires would pull up chunks of the flooring, creating long-term damage and safety concerns.

The new surface matches other performance spaces within Proctors Collaborative, offering a more stable, durable, and smooth floor that improves both the performer and patron experience, especially during dances, concerts, and large events.

Lighting upgrades at Proctors

Proctors underwent a major lighting overhaul for the MainStage. The original lights, many over 30 years old, were replaced with modern, color-changing LEDs. This switch improves energy efficiency, cuts down on maintenance, and reduces the number of physical lights needed for productions.

The shift also resolves a critical issue: incandescent lamps had become so outdated that replacement parts were increasingly rare to purchase.

“All these investments — whether HVAC systems, new flooring, or LED lights — might not be immediately visible to audiences, but they’re crucial to maintaining safety, sustainability, and performance quality across all Proctors Collaborative spaces,” Morris added.

Other projects

• Proctors started a restoration of Goldie, the 1931 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, in a $400,000 project led by COSS Organs of Delmar, NY, with guidance from the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society. Work began in August and is scheduled for completion Sept. 2026, in time for the 100th anniversary season at Proctors.
• Right before “A Beautiful Noise” lit up the MainStage at Proctors in September, the iconic chandelier was brought down for its own moment to shine. The hundred-year-old light piece was meticulously cleaned by staff for the start of the 2025-26 KeyBank Broadway Series.

Proctors Collaborative extends warm gratitude to our sponsors, donors, and staff for undertaking these projects and keeping our venues in pristine condition for our communities.