BILLINGS – The Alberta Bair Theater has been closed and a renovation project started on May 6.
“They’re right on track where they want to be,” said Jan Dietrich, executive director of the theater. “And it’s certainly interesting to watch the changes every day and how much they accomplish.“
Dietrich said the demolition part involved taking out what was constructed in 1987.
“They need to take out that atrium part that was added so that we can come out over the sidewalks and gain that additional lobby space,” Dietrich said.
Those involved in the project can see it coming together
“Because we’ve been working on these plans now for two years or longer, I can envision it and I can hardly wait,” Dietrich said. “The windows throughout the building over the additional space and so that’ll provide light into the space for patrons but also in the evening. When an event is happening people on the outside will be able to see, you know, what am I missing?”
Some of the change will help the performers.
“There’s so many things that go into it that really does need to be there for the production,” she said. “We need to be able to provide that to them if we want to be able to present the kind of artists that the community wants.“
Dietrch can see the construction every day from her office on 3rd Avenue North and North Broadway.
“I love it,” Dietrich said. “I love it.”
Renovation is expected to be finished in the fall of 2020.
In the meantime, the Alberta Bair Theater will host shows at the Babcock Theater, MSUB’s Petro Theatre and the Billings Public Schools Lincoln Center Auditorium.
