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Soo Theatre Project and Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios

Posted by... sootheatre, Friday, August 21st, 2009

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Project Overview *
Project Name: 
Soo Theatre Project and Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios
Street Address: 
534 Ashmun Street
City: 
Sault Ste. Marie
State: 
MI
Zip Code: 
49783
Web Site: 
www.sootheatre.org
Year Established: 
2003
Telephone: 
906-632-1930
First Name of Project Contact: 
Catherine
Brief Project Description (100 words): 
After failed attempts by other groups the Soo Theatre Project purchased the 1930"s 25,000 square foot complex with a no interest loan from a local bank in 2003. The building was structurally sound but in disrepair. A Michigan Cool Cities Grant in 2004 allowed renovation for the 4 store fronts into studios, restrooms and reception area.. Volunteers tore down the walls that divided the theatre into two parts and hid the stage. The first theatre performance since 1974 occurred in 2005. This season has 19 shows with hundreds of actors and 28 performance nights. The STARS studios began in 2005 with 10 teachers and 100 students. This year 400 students and 45 dance classes along with piano, acting,yoga, voice, violin, viola, cello, harp, woodwinds, with 12 performing group
Program/Development Partners
Public/Civil Sector: 
n/a
Name: 
n/a
For-profit Private Sector: 
n/a
Name: 
n/a
Non-profit Sector: 
Program
Development
Project Tenant
Name: 
Soo Theatre Project, Inc.
Creative Industries Served: 
Performance-based arts
Community Context: *
Community Programming: 
Professional Development & Training Services
Technique or studio training/ workshops
Community Service/Engagement Programs
Other
Shared: Facilities and Equipment
Shared: Administrative Infrastructure
Other Shared Resources
Professional Development & Training Services: 
n/a
Population served+: 
n/a
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Technique or Studio Training/Workshops: 
Master classes in dance and voice
Population served+: 
STARS students and community
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Community Engagement/Programming: 
n/a
Population Served+: 
n/a
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Other Programs: 
n/a
Population served+: 
n/a
Shared Community Resources - Facilities and Equipment: 
Theatre has loaned lights, microphones, props, sets and other item to other local community groups
Shared Community Resources - Administrative Infrastructure: 
n/a
Shared Community Resources - Other: 
Hospital has used theatre for professional development training site.
Building Description *
Building Description: 
Renovation
Year Renovated: 
2004 to present
Year Originally Built: 
1930
Building Type: 
Multi-use
Artist/Space Ownership/Use Structure: 
Rental
Other: 
n/a
Building Area (square feet): 
25,000
Types of Spaces: 
n/a
Included Space Types / Uses
Live/Work Spaces: 
n/a
Total Units(#): 
0
Units for Broader Community(#): 
0
Total Affordable Units(#): 
0
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
0
Workspace Studios: 
Rental
Total Units(#): 
6
Units for Broader Community(#): 
1
Total Affordable Units(#): 
5
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
6
Live-Only Spaces: 
n/a
Total Units(#): 
0
Units for Broader Community(#): 
0
Total Affordable Units(#): 
0
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
0
Gallery: 
n/a
Performance/Rehearsal Space: 
For Resident Organizations Only
Available to Public
Dance Studio: 
For Resident Organizations Only
Recording Studio: 
n/a
Office Space: 
For Resident Organizations Only
Multi-Purpose Space (e.g. for Community Use): 
Available to Public
Additional Artist Amenities: 
Natural light
Wide width doorways
Ventilation
Wheelchair accessible
Sound proofing
Dance floors
Special electric (220v)
High speed internet access
Parking
Describe Sustainable Strategies Employed (250 words): 
Awareness campaigns to keep the public informed of progress, membership campaign for operating dollars. Building fees are built into tuition to pay operating costs, as well as Artist/teacher fees. Locally produced Theatre productions at Soo Theatre make money to pay for maintenance, operating costs. Benefit performances - three or four per season - also help to pay operating. Fundraising events other than theatre performances help to defray costs. Writing grants, when we can find applications which fit our project. Long term planning ongoing and capital campaign is underway . Satellite STARS studios in surrounding towns to gain more awareness, bring in more students - 2 programs are underway at the moment.
Description of Preservation Work (50 words): 
Building was in such disrepair and past remodeling that it was not reasonable to restore exactly to 1930's. Studios meet current code and artist requirements. Theatre renovation is to current code and light and sound technology. The building restoration will approximate the look of the original space.
Description of Incubation Facilities, Resources, Programming (50 words): 
no
Zoning / Building Regulations *
Original Zoning: 
Mixed-Use
Other: 
n/a
Zoning Change Required: 
No
Other Zoning/Regulatory Issues: 
none
Development Team *
Type of Developer: 
Non-Profit
Other: 
n/a
Developer: 
n/a
Contractor: 
volunteer
Project Manager: 
Colleen Arbic
Architect: 
Beverly McCready, Northwoods Engineering, MPG Architect
Artist Organization: 
none
Other Experts Consulted (property management, legal, etc): 
David Bulson, Attorney, Property Manager Dianna George, David Strickland City Engineer, Mark Sundstrum City Building Inspection Department and others
Finance *
Total Development Cost ($): 
2,000,000
Acquisition Cost ($): 
85,000
Construction Cost Per Square Foot ($): 
80
Cost Per Unit ($): 
n/a
Total Equity ($): 
600,000
Portion from Private Investment Sources ($): 
500,000
Funding Sources/Uses: 
Foundations
State Government
Other Sources/Uses
Foundation Support ($): 
Hudson Foundation & Wisconsin Energy $70,000
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
CDBG Support: 
none
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
HOME Support: 
none
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Local Government Support: 
in kind only
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
State Government Support: 
Michigan Cool Cities Grant $100,000
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Federal Government Support: 
none
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Other Support: 
Individuals $ 500,000 and in kind $1,300,000
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Equity/Tax Credits: 
n/a
Other Tax Credits: 
0
Debt: 
n/a
Bank Debt ($): 
0
Links / Images / Attachments
Links: 
Soo Theatre Project, Inc
Photographs (up to 10): 
application/pdf icon
Photographs.pdf
Marketing Brochures/Press Clips/Advertisements: 
application/pdf icon
revised Marketing Brochure-Press Clips-Advertisements.pdf
Submit: 
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