Friday, February 22,2008
Page 8
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CAMPUS VOICE
Up from
the ashes
Paramount rebuilt after fire
Who says you can’t go back?
In February 2005, the people
of Goldsboro lost a precious
piece of history. The Paramount
Theater burned to the ground
due to technical failure and
fire shortly after Center Stage
Theater held auditions for its
upcoming show.
Now it is three years later and
the Paramount has again opened
its doors to patrons from the past
and present, and will do so in
the future.
It is hard to imagine the efforts,
and contributions that have been
used to recreate the seemingly
un-creatable.
The new Paramount Theater
holds 500 seats, all designed
in Classic Victorian Style. The
heating and air systems are
central as opposed to those
in the previous theater. The
technology is state of the art.
Bathrooms are larger and more
accessible. The catwalks and
fly-space are stanch and easier to
use. There is a loading dock with
electric rolling doors for easier
access by traveling companies.
The “Actors Annex,” one of
the most equipped features
in the theater, is where the
actors will go after being in
The balcony
overlooks the
lobby in the
Paramount
Theater
on Center
Street.
Story and
photos by
WAYNE
MOORING
Main
stage of
Paramount
Stairway in main
full costume. It is enhanced
with an intercom system that
will allow the stage manager
to call on cues, and the actors
to listen in on the performance.
The dressing rooms are more
efficient and comfortable, and
each one includes a shower. The
lobby of Paramount
stage is wider and deeper than in
the original Paramount.
The building is three stories
tall, with a balcony looking
over the new lobby in the
entrance area and a large crystal
chandelier hanging in the center
of the lobby. A ticket booth and
refreshment area will be located
in the lobby.
Portraits and playbill posters
from previous shows will hang
in the main lobby above the
entrance doors to the theater.
On the evening of Feb.
15, there was a closed event
for patron donors and seat
purchasers. On February 16 was
a gala event open to the public.
In such a short period of
time, this magnificent replica
has come to be. The Paramount
is truly living up to the saying,
“the show must go on.”
Front entrance