Entertainment 
Theater set to reopen this fall
By
Anna Carabeo
Anna.carabeo001@mymdc.net
After undergoing $2.6 million in renovations—in 10 months—the Lehman Theatre is set to reopen its doors, according to Cristina Mateo, North Campus’ dean of administration.
The official reopening gala is scheduled to be held on Friday, Oct. 1 at noon.
The North Campus Jazz Band, the North Star Singers, the Pen Players and the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami are expected to perform, according to Octavio Roca, interim chairperson of the arts and philosophy department.
The renovations are the first the theater has undergone since 1984. It includes a new stage floor, a studio theater—also referred to as a “black box”— overlooking the lake with a seating capacity of 100 people—new theatrical curtains, a sound and video system, acoustical treatment, house lighting, doors, carpet and seating.
In addition, the lobby and the green room of the theater were renovated, and additional storage facilities were constructed to support theatrical prop storage. The control booth of the theater will include state of the art high definition (HD) equipment capable of teleconferences.
During lecture presentations students can take notes using the tablet armed seats.
The theater, which opened its doors in 1968, will have a seating capacity of 457.
“It is going to be a new and exciting experience for those of us in the music and theater department,” said Bridget Nodarse, a 19-year-old music major.
The Lehman Theater already has a full program lined up for next year with plays like I Hate Hamlet, No Exit and Company, scheduled to take place there, according to Roca.
The theater will now also be a venue for the Miami International Film Festival. “Theater is very vital,” Roca said. “We need to make it available to the community.”
Roca said he wants to provide audiences with at least one American play, one classical European play and one musical a year. Admission for productions will be free to all MDC students, staff and faculty.
“Anything to get students into the theater,” Roca said.