RECONSTRUCTION OF FIRST STAGE

Issaquah’s nationally-renowned First Stage Theatre is getting an “extreme makeover.” Reconstruction of the theater—an approximate $3 million project which comprises Phase II of Village Theatre’s $12 million capital campaign—is poised to begin this Fall. Village Theatre plans to restore First Stage to a fully functioning facility, maximize its overall usefulness, and assure its future for many years to come.

“We are working very hard to raise the funds needed to break ground, meet the Kresge Challenge, and complete the First stage reconstruction,” says Robb Hunt, Village Theatre’s Executive Producer. “Just as the economy was spiraling out of control, Village Theatre’s Board of Directors prudently mandated that we must raise 70% of the project costs before breaking ground so as not to put the Theatre into financial jeopardy. The recession may slow us down, but it won’t stop us. We’re still moving forward with unshakeable commitment and energy.”

Not only has the economic recession impacted businesses, it has also dramatically impacted fundraising for many worthy non-profit organizations. Village Theatre is no exception. “Originally, we planned to break ground for the First Stage reconstruction last spring,” says Hunt, “Unfortunately, the construction firm we were working with went out of business in Issaquah. Fortunately, we were able obtain another contractor fairly quickly, but the changeover resulted not only in a delay in groundbreaking but also in re-bidding the project. Currently, we are working with the City of Issaquah to obtain building permits. In fact, the City has recommended some design revisions which will result in significant cost-savings to help meet our fundraising goal.”

FIRST STAGE RECONSTRUCTION $3 MILLION: Village Theatre is the steward of First Stage (originally the Issaquah Theatre), probably King County’s oldest functioning theatre. Remarkably, it has been in almost continuous operation for the past 95 years. Back then when the Theatre opened its doors, Issaquah was little more than a rough-and-tumble frontier mining town.

Built in 1913, the Issaquah Theatre was originally built to show silent films. It was a small town’s gathering place for shows and movies. Even then, there was an orchestra pit where musicians accompanied the silent films that flickered on the screen. With its flat floor and movable seats, the venue was also able to host a variety of events from meetings and weddings to dances and graduations.

The building is an intact example of an early pioneer wood frame, commercial structure in Issaquah's original downtown. It is a 2-story rectangular form with a low pitched front gable roof and a western plain false front at the street. The false front also runs along the south elevation. The front (west) and north walls are horizontal flush board-siding with corner boards. The parapet is decorated with 5 pairs of decorative scrolled brackets and a wide cornice and frieze. The wide 1-over-1 double hung wood frame windows and trim are original on the front (west) and sides. The street level has been extensively renovated from the original.

Historically significant to Issaquah, the theatre is one of its oldest structures and today it is being used for the same purpose for which it was built. The Issaquah Theater, like today’s Village Theatre, represented an alternative to the movie palaces that were springing up in cities. Back then, it was a small town community theater that served many purposes from Vaudeville shows, recreation, education to community gatherings and movies – the popular culture of the day.

Currently, our KIDSTAGE and Village Originals programs call downtown Issaquah’s historic First Stage Theatre home. Hundreds of rehearsals and dozens of performances occur there each year. It is important for organizational growth, educational program expansion and artistic excellence to upgrade the rehearsal/teaching/administrative spaces and provide better more desirable working conditions in order to retain our excellent personnel. The First Stage Theatre was built in 1913, nearly a century ago. Its charming façade has been a part of downtown Issaquah virtually since the town was founded. However, despite several repair and restoration projects over the past century, the building has deteriorated severely. There is no real foundation, the performance and audience spaces are inadequate, and the part of the building that housed the dressing room does not meet new City of Issaquah codes and has been permanently closed.

The reconstruction will: