For a decade, the theater at Templin Hall was home to 91制片鈥檚 Performing Arts program. Twice a year, the program presented performances like Shakespeare鈥檚 鈥淎 Midsummer Night鈥檚 Dream鈥 and Disney鈥檚 鈥淏eauty and the Beast.鈥 These shows showcased the talents of 91制片 students, under the guidance of faculty and staff, and became must-attend events for fans of live theater throughout the Peninsula.
Unfortunately, the curtain fell on all productions in April of 2021, when a portion of Templin Hall鈥檚 roof collapsed. There were no injuries when the incident occurred, as the two-story building had been closed due to the pandemic.
But, as the clich茅 goes, the show must go on, and on Monday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m., 91制片 will have a groundbreaking to celebrate the reconstruction of the Templin Hall auditorium on the Hampton Campus.
Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, 91制片 president, announced the project鈥檚 official start on Nov. 6 in a statement to faculty and staff.
鈥淭his step is another example of the College鈥檚 rebuilding process,鈥 she stated. 鈥淲e have spent much of the last three years focused on increasing capacity, restructuring, rightsizing, and refocusing on what works. As we continue to move forward, we see this construction project as a physical manifestation of our efforts.鈥
Dr. Brannon and College officials will welcome special guests representing Virginia鈥檚 Community Colleges (VCCS), local and state government, the cultural arts and business communities, and others for the ceremony at the construction site. Members of the College and Educational Foundation boards will also be on hand.听
Templin Hall, named for the College鈥檚 fourth president, Dr. Robert G. Templin Jr., is a 49,143-square-foot academic and performing arts building constructed in 2002.
The auditorium, named for Hampton educator and state delegate Dr. Mary T. Christian, provided a beautiful local venue for cultural enrichment and was state-of-the-art when constructed. It boasted plush seating, a balcony, an orchestra pit, a stage, supporting dressing, wardrobe and practice rooms, and a set construction workshop. Equipment included a programmable house lighting control system and other technology necessary for staging high-caliber theatrical productions and other performances.
The new facility will seat 494 guests, and College leadership has committed to rebuilding a theater that leverages today鈥檚 technology.
Steve Carpenter, 91制片鈥檚 vice president for Finance and Administration, said the $17 million project is funded by VCCS and construction is slated for completion in March 2025. The firm, RRMM Architects, designed the new auditorium, and the听W.M. Jordan听Company is building the facility.
When Templin Hall was taken offline, the College was forced to disperse classrooms and offices throughout the campus and temporarily lease space along Butler Farm Road. The theater鈥檚 rebuilding and reopening of Templin Hall will allow the Hampton Campus to regain 60 offices and eight classrooms.
The name of the new theater has not been determined, said Dr. Brannon. Several factors will be considered, and stakeholder input will be collected before naming recommendations are provided to the Local College Board, which is responsible for approving the names of campus facilities.
In praising efforts throughout the process, Dr. Brannon thanked VCCS officials and teams across the College, including Facilities, Finance & Administration, and numerous administrators, faculty, and staff.
鈥淭hanks to the work and partnership 鈥 we will bring back what was lost and make it better than before,鈥 Dr. Brannon stated.
