Cultural Legacy & Institutional Modernization
A comprehensive renovation of the oldest continuously operating African-American community theater in the United States to align its historic facility with modern dramatic programming.
The Friction Point
Despite its significant history, the Arena Players Inc. (API) facility had seen limited capital investment since the late 1970s. The challenge lies in modernizing a building composed of a 19th-century historic core and mid-century additions, all while managing a fixed $6 million budget and the technical requirements of a specialized performance space.
The Plan Build Intervention
Plan Build stepped in during the design phase to act as the primary liaison between the theater and the technical design team. We are providing the administrative and technical structure required to navigate complex state and federal grants, ensuring that every dollar of the $6 million budget is optimized for energy efficiency, durability, and inclusive design.
Our expertise:
Capital Management of the total project budget and administering state and federal grants to meet rigorous compliance standards.
Team calibration to manage the selection and hiring of the Construction Manager and : re-engage the design team.
Managing specialty consultants during design to ensure theater-specific technical requirements (acoustics, lighting, staging) are met.
Establishing a master project schedule that coordinates with Baltimore City permitting and funding milestones.
Collaborating with the client to provide the technical data and project clarity needed to reach final fundraising goals.
The Outcome
A modernized, high-efficiency cultural landmark that secures the future of African-American theater in Baltimore, providing a sustainable and inclusive environment for the next generation of performers.
