Currently undergoing phase one of construction renovations at the Wallace Theater, Alycyn Keeling and the board of directors overseeing the project are buzzing with excitement as it gets closer to completion.
Keeling explained that the overall renovation plans consist of two phases with the first focusing on the HVAC system, air conditioning and ductwork which is currently underway. The first phase also includes the installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system and concrete work such as the stage area that has been completed.
Phase two plans are predicted to begin in the later part of October, which include all of the finishes and renovations of the balcony and full renovations inside the adjacent building, the former pie shoppe.
“Right now, we’ve been working to build out the spaces in the adjacent building which will become the dressing rooms,” said Keeling. “The renovations have also included a lot of steel work, the air conditioning unit for theater will actually be placed on top of the adjacent building so that that noise won’t be an interference with performances inside the auditorium.”
Once phase two begins it will be basically finishing everything out to make everything beautiful.
“Phase one is really all of the behind-the-scenes work,” explained Keeling. “It focuses on getting the foundations done such as the electrical work, taking care of plumbing and making sure that everything behind the scenes supports what we need it to do to really have a beautiful and functioning theater that everyone is anticipating.”
The board is looking at a completion time of December 2024, to give the community one of the best performance auditoriums in the area.
“We are all so excited to get back to Levelland and to be back in our home space again,” said Keeling. “We’ve been so fortunate to get to partner with LHUCA in Lubbock and we are very excited to be opening and traveling the Book of Will, our next show, to South Plains College at the end of July. We love working with SPC and we will be very excited to get back to this this space and open up to our community.”
Starting as a non-profit organization in 2015, the then board of five members has now expanded to 11 members who share the same excitement for creating an intimate and inviting experience to West Texas. The space is expected to hold anywhere from 200 to 250 individuals when the renovations are completed.
“We’ve been able to use the auditorium for different things, but we always had to pick and choose when to make sure that the weather would cooperate to be a comfortable space, so being able to truly create an environment that’s cool in the summers, warm in the winters is going to be incredible,” said Keeling. “What I’m most excited about though is for the historic murals to come back because I think that’s that really creates the sense of magic for this space. When you’re sitting in here and you’re watching an incredible performance on stage whether it’s a concert, a live theatrical production or a comedy show, you’re surrounded by this beautiful artwork.”
Keeling explained there will not be a lot of spaces in the world that are like the Wallace Theater and it will be something special for the community because they get to sit next to their friends, family and neighbors when enjoying a show. Wanting the theater to be a hub for surrounding communities to visit, Keeling hopes towns surrounding Levelland will also find joy in the Walllace Theater in the future.
The thing that I am most proud of, in addition to the community, is the incredible board of directors and our staff as all of these people have come on board and they are committed to staying on board to see this project come to fruition,” said Keeling. “The hours and the time that they have spent and committed to working through the details and bring it all together has been amazing. I am so thankful for each and every one of them and also volunteers and we’ve had.”
Keeling also added that a large number of volunteers had taken their time to offer their support and so many people come and volunteer for different events.
“We have had volunteers that helped us clean out the space, they’ve helped check people in when we’ve had shows and they’ve helped us send the letters and people have donated and given a lot,” explained Keeling. “We’ve had over 1,300 people, businesses, and foundations make contributions that have supported our work it really has been a community effort. I think what makes the Wallace special the people that love this building, and they appreciate the vision and can see what it’s going to do for them personally, for their family experiences, and for the whole community.”
Keeling hopes the theater will continue to attract more restaurants, business and economic partners to Levelland as it all benefits the quality of life within the community.
“Everyone will get to see the magic that is Levelland and we’re just so thankful to be a part of this great community and serve Levelland and Hockley County,” said Keeling. “Seeing everything come together is extraordinarily rewarding. There are lots of times that it becomes challenging, but knowing what we’re working for makes every minute every hour every and every challenge to overcome worth it.”
Believing in the positive impact that the Wallace Theater will bring, Keeling knows that the working going into the project will allow the space to be relevant and excel for the next 50 to 100 years. Being sustainable and making such an investment last is the goal of the board as they keep the community in mind while restoring the historical venue. Naming opportunities are still available. If anyone is interested in learning how they can support and be a part of The Wallace contact Alycyn Keeling at Alycyn@WallaceTheater.com or donate at www.WallaceTheater.com/donate.