If you want to see the Miller Theatre saved, turn the direction and resurrection over to Mike Deas of Augusta Amusements. It won’t happen successfully any other way.
Bravo Mr. Schmidt. You are right on the money. The whole 8' extension thing IS NOT the footage that they taped on the floor in front of the Miller stage, which was more like 24' from the front of the orchestra pit apron into the room. And the fact that you have played in Carnegie Hall and other halls qualifies you to know more than some of the Augusta Symphony consultants. This only goes to prove that if you pay someone from out of town, they can tell you what you want to hear…but, you (the consumer) are stuck with the end product, which to me, will be disastrous acoustically and architecturally. Several architect and engineer friends of mine who have toured the Miller, DO NOT agree with where the symphony wants to go with this. But they will make their bed and have to deal with it. Unfortunately, an architectural treasure will be lost.
Sad day for the Miller for the symphony to get the project. Mike Deas and Friends of the Miller would have restored the theatre to what people remembered it for. It will be forever lost now to what Frank Miller envisioned.
Cajun,
The Bell Auditorium was built as a WPA project post-depression era, with federal money and next to free labor. Yes it is still open, but pretty much a dump. The Miller opened in 1940 with private sector money, with smart business people at the helm. The eonconmy of the 1960s & 1980’s pretty much did the Miller in. But the building, now stabilized by the efforts of Peter Knox IV, is structurally very sound. It just requires some additional work to get it up and running again. We will see what happens.
If you want to see the Miller Theatre saved, turn the direction and resurrection over to Mike Deas of Augusta Amusements. It won’t happen successfully any other way.
Thank you Mr. Schmidt. Well said…maybe Bob Hope can make it back to announce for them.
Bravo Mr. Schmidt. You are right on the money. The whole 8' extension thing IS NOT the footage that they taped on the floor in front of the Miller stage, which was more like 24' from the front of the orchestra pit apron into the room. And the fact that you have played in Carnegie Hall and other halls qualifies you to know more than some of the Augusta Symphony consultants. This only goes to prove that if you pay someone from out of town, they can tell you what you want to hear…but, you (the consumer) are stuck with the end product, which to me, will be disastrous acoustically and architecturally. Several architect and engineer friends of mine who have toured the Miller, DO NOT agree with where the symphony wants to go with this. But they will make their bed and have to deal with it. Unfortunately, an architectural treasure will be lost.
Sad day for the Miller for the symphony to get the project. Mike Deas and Friends of the Miller would have restored the theatre to what people remembered it for. It will be forever lost now to what Frank Miller envisioned.
African Queen, ah yes, what a great classic. Unfortunately with the present plans for the Miller, those days are gone. Such a shame.
Oh….makes sense.
Not likely to see that in here. Announcing a Grand Opening was a bit premature. You would need to contact Symphony Orchestra Augusta for that info.
Cajun, The Bell Auditorium was built as a WPA project post-depression era, with federal money and next to free labor. Yes it is still open, but pretty much a dump. The Miller opened in 1940 with private sector money, with smart business people at the helm. The eonconmy of the 1960s & 1980’s pretty much did the Miller in. But the building, now stabilized by the efforts of Peter Knox IV, is structurally very sound. It just requires some additional work to get it up and running again. We will see what happens.
Give it to Mike Deas and Augusta Amusements. He will maintain its' historical integrity and work well with area arts groups.