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We’re pleased to introduce the Zeiterion’s inaugural newsletter! Here’s Molly McCarthy, The Z’s Development Director, to tell you more about this exclusive content for our generous donors like you.
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Leadership from the Zeiterion, New Bedford Festival Theatre and New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, along with speakers from the event, break ground by smashing a ceremonial wall
June 28, 2024, was a momentous day – it was the groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration and renovation! We celebrated under a tent outside the Zeiterion with nearly two hundred community members, donors, arts and culture advocates, and legislators. There was a shared sense of support, curiosity, and excitement for the project. Guests especially seemed to enjoy the smashing of a ceremonial wall instead of shoveling a conventional pile of dirt. We wanted to reimagine old traditions for the new Zeiterion and we’re happy it was so well received.
Let us be clear: it’s because of YOU that we had this milestone to celebrate. Your support is making the project a reality. We are at the beginning of a long journey, and we look forward to sharing our renovation adventures with you.
Read more about the event from the Standard Times.
Another 100 years: Zeiterion Theatre rebirth celebrated in New Bedford with groundbreaking
It has been a lengthy and challenging process to get The Z to this point. Our team, with the help of several experts, has persevered through it all so we could bring this vision to life for New Bedford.
Just a few of the obstacles we faced:
We’ll spare you the details, but we are certainly relieved that it all came together (perhaps a little later than we planned) at the groundbreaking. We’re grateful to the many, many consultants, lawyers, politicians, volunteers, and experts who guided us through the last 6 years.
We are beyond excited to bring you a performing arts center that is a gathering space for the community. A facility where you can experience artists on a variety of stages, expand your horizons with educational opportunities, and be part of a community through the arts. It will be a vibrant building that contributes to Southcoast’s economy with events large and small!
A beautifully renovated historic theater. At the heart of this project is the historic restoration of the 10,900-square-foot theater. It will be returned to its original 1923 color scheme. The chandelier, original to the building, will be re-cabled, cleaned, and re-installed. The beautiful plasterwork throughout the theater will be restored, as well as the mural on the ceiling. New architectural lighting will highlight these features.
Of course, the theater needs some modern elements added: All new seats and seating layout increases capacity, improves accessibility for patrons with disabilities, and creates a more unified appearance. The slope of the theater will be adjusted, making aisles much safer. Sound and lighting updates will improve the performing arts experience for artists and patrons.
New Gathering Spaces. An expanded main lobby improves flow and overall experience for visitors. The basement becomes a “Speakeasy,” a new intimate event space for performances, community events, film screenings, and more. A new second floor lounge serves as a donor’s lounge, additional social space, and multi-function event room.
Learning through the Arts. This project underscores The Z’s commitment to strengthening education programs with a total of 1,800 square feet of dedicated education space. The renovated third floor features a large movement studio and a smaller classroom space for learners of all ages.
Behind the Scenes. Updated administrative offices create a dynamic home for Zeiterion and New Bedford Festival Theatre staff and board. Dedicated volunteer space provides a home base for our volunteer usher corps. A new hydraulic orchestra pit lift will service the main auditorium and provide a storage home for our original Wurlitzer Organ.
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The Z’s 2023/24 season was an exciting one with many firsts. We celebrated our 100th birthday, emptied the building for renovation, and closed the theater to the public. Without use of our building, we had to reimagine our season – so we took the show on the road!
Going on the road was a great opportunity to present amazing artists like Paula Poundstone, Jake Shimabukuro, Drumline Live, to name a few, at venues from New Bedford’s North End to South End to Darthmouth to Fall River. It was also a lot of work to plan, prep, pack, set-up, serve, and breakdown for each performance. Here’s how we made it happen.
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– Cristina, Bar Manager and Executive Assistant
Selecting the venues
We gathered an internal team from all departments to explore potential locations within a 30-mile radius. Site visits to these locations helped us figure out which spaces would work to present performances, host community events, and offer our Mobile Creative Classroom. There were many details to consider: patron experience, accessibility, stage size, audio and video capabilities, parking, restrooms, green rooms, dressing rooms…the list seemed endless. Is there enough stage space to handle sets and equipment? Will there be enough accessible restrooms? Where do all the buses for Schooltime shows park?
In the end, we were able to choose locations that worked well for artists and audiences alike: the auditoriums at UMass Dartmouth, Bristol Community College and New Bedford High School, Kilburn Mill Event Center, Madeira Field, Co-Creative Center, Fort Tabor Community Center, and Andrea McCoy Recreation Center.
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Pivot!
With these new venues came new logistics. And, even with preparation, we had to pivot and adjust throughout the season. Our front-of-house team, for example, worked to provide patrons with the same level of service they’ve come to expect inside the Zeiterion. This meant more hours to set up before a show and pack up after. They worked even more closely with the production crew to ensure everything they needed arrived at each location. There were things we never had to consider before, like how much product to transport without overpacking, where to set up the concessions area, and remembering to bring ice!
Silver linings
Even though each off-site venue had their challenges, they also held rewards. The opportunity to meet and work with so many new people was priceless, from school administrators to event staff, tech crews to security teams. Our volunteer usher team adapted well to these new locations and retained their warm and welcoming presence. Moments of discovery presented themselves as opportunities of learning at every turn.
Many of you from our fantastic community of supporters joined us on the road. You shared gratitude for still being able to experience Zeiterion performances while the theater was closed. You helped make a season outside the Zeiterion possible. We can’t thank you enough!
- Dori, Director of Patron Experience
Learning through the arts
Going on the road was a great way to bring learning through the arts into other neighborhoods of New Bedford. The Z’s Mobile Creative Classroom traveled to Fort Tabor Community Center, Boys and Girls Club, and Andrea McCoy Rec Center to offer classes like Cape Verdean dance, salsa, ukulele, songwriting, and improv, all led by local teaching artists. By working with the Association for the Relief of Aged Women (ARAW), we were also able to offer several of these classes for free to New Bedford Housing Authority residents. Another fun experience was the free ukulele workshop before Jake Shimabukuro’s performance at UMass Dartmouth.
One of the classes, Jazz Jam, transitioned from Creative Classroom to an AHA Night favorite! The talented Manny Escobar led a group of music lovers to jam at New Bedford Co-Creative Center on the second Thursday of most months, free of charge.
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Deepening community connection
This season we offered several free community events. After Drumline Live!, we partnered with T.R.U.E. Diversity, Paige L. Jones, and others to offer a free Historically Black College/University Fair at Andrea McCoy Rec Center. Students and families connected with reps from 8 HBCUs and were treated to a special performance and Q&A with the Drumline cast – many of whom attended HBCUs. Months later, The Z and 3rd Eye Unlimited offered 360 Degrees for the Culture, also at Andrea McCoy. It was an afternoon of workshops that helped kids build the skills showcased in 360 AllStars, like basketball, breakdancing, graffiti, and more, capped off by a dance party with DJ Anghelli.
These dynamic events also helped to grow our Teen Ambassador program. The eight teens who participated went behind the scenes, enjoyed unique artistic opportunities, and volunteered their time. They attended performances and wrote reviews. Before The Great Gatsby, the teens toured UMass Dartmouth’s fashion department and 1920s-inspired outfits created by college students. They also attended Jazz Jams – and some even shared their own musical talents!
