MEGAN ANDERSON FULFILLS ANOTHER PRINCESS MILESTONE

Owen Driskill, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Roane State Community College, has just announced the appointment of Megan Anderson as the manager of the "new" Princess Theatre!

This is a welcomed milestone in the progression of things to come for the Princess and Roane County.  

I haven't met her as yet, but the attached release outlines a ten year history of broad experience in theater production, and it sounds like she understands what the Princess dream means to us.

Best of luck Megan and welcome to our area and to our beloved Princess project!  We all look forward to supporting you in this important role.

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Aug. 3, 2011

Megan Anderson named manager of Princess Theater

Megan Anderson has been named manager of the historic Princess Theater in downtown Harriman.

Anderson has more than 10 years of experience in theater production. Her background includes technical skills such as lighting, sound, and camera operation and includes business services such as payroll and customer relations.

“I am thrilled to become the manager of the revitalized Princess Theater,” Anderson said. “I know how much the Princess means to the community, and I am looking forward to providing outstanding events and educational opportunities at the Princess.”

Since March 2001, Anderson has worked extensively in the theater industry. Her experience includes several roles and responsibilities for a variety of events and organizations, including:

• Camera operator, switcher operator, and sound and lights operator for the USA Gospel Entertainers Musician Awards in Nashville

• Associate producer for the Smoky Mountain Cowboy Campmeeting Broadcast in Pigeon Forge

• Production associate on the special events staff for Landmark Communications Group in Nashville

• Associate producer for the Nashville Cowboy Church

• Special events staff member and camera operator for the Country Radio Seminar

• Special events staff member for the annual Country Music Awards

Anderson, a Nashville native, began her theater career in 2001. As a teenager, she worked at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville. During her three years there, she was a cashier; worked in concessions and housekeeping; helped manage payroll; operated spotlights; and served as the light director and as assistant sound manager.

“I’ve been working in theaters since I was 16 years old, and it’s going to be an amazing experience to show students everything that goes on in a theater,” Anderson said. “I’m really excited, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Anderson, 25, graduated from Volunteer State Community College in 2006 and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and electronic media from the University of Tennessee in 2009. She will begin her duties on Aug. 15.

The theater manager’s role includes recruiting shows and events to the theater, fundraising, publicity and promoting arts in the community. Anderson will also assist with Roane State theater productions.

The Princess Theater is undergoing renovation as part of efforts to revitalize historic downtown Harriman. Constructed in 1926, the Princess was once a showplace. During its best years, the 900-seat theater screened movies to capacity crowds, but the Princess closed in 1999. Renovations to the Princess are scheduled to be complete this fall.

Roane State will assist with maintenance of the Princess Theater and provide expertise in purchasing equipment and coordinating events.

The theater is part of the planned Princess Performing Arts, Education and Conference Center, which also includes Channel 15, a television station operated by Roane State and the City of Harriman.

SUPPORT FOR AND HARD WORK ON THE PRINCESS CONTINUES

If you've walked by Channel 15 on Roane Street lately, you've probably noticed the large check in the window.  A $2500 donation was recently received from Knox Heritage.  This money is officially designated as a "Save Our Signs Grant" and was given toward the construction of a new Princess Theatre marquee that will give a modern touch to the original marquee design.  Placement of the updated marquee is expected very soon!

Rest assured folks, there are lots of people on our side.  Like us, they want to see the Princess born again with a new purpose in life - not just to entertain us once again, but to educate and motivate our children!

You would also hear sounds of progress as you pass on up the street and pass the Princess.  There is a lot of work going on inside the old Margrave Drug and Tappan buildings.

Inside the "Margrave" building the elevator supports have been installed and are awaiting the installation of the elevator that will allow all patrons, regardless of their mobility, access to the balcony.  Two wheelchair ramps, on either side of the balcony, will give these audience members a grand view of the stage.

On the "Margrave" side of the wall between the "Tappan" building is a distinctive outline on the brick between steel supports.  

On the opposite side of the wall I found two workers laboring in their attempt to cut through the wall.  

This is where the new concession area will serve the expanded lobby.  Customers will place their orders on the "Margrave" side, while Princess workers will serve them from the "Tappan" side.  

To get a better perspective of the planned arrangement look at the new floor plan drawing again by CLICKING HERE.

They told me it was hard work, and were having some issues with the cut through the old fireproof wall, but they weren't giving up!

In the auditorium, the scaffolding is still up, but you can see and hear work going on up there too.  It shouldn't be long before all the framework comes down and the serious finishing detail work will begin.

The dust from the construction is being swept and washed away back in the prop and dressing room areas, and it won't be long before the lights, vanities, and chairs are placed.

And, as you know, when you drive by you can see that things change daily.  The glass and doors are in the store fronts that were just roughed in supports just a week ago.

Things are progressing, not as fast as we would like, but we do want it done right.  We will soon be proud of our Princess once again!

THE PRINCESS ADDED TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S GEOTOURISM MAPGUIDE

As a matter of record, I'm posting here what I posted to nominate the “Princess Performing Arts, Education and Conference Center” to be included on the National Geographic "Geotourism MapGuide" for the East Tennessee River Valley.  The nomination was accepted and made "active" recently.  Now when travelers think of coming to this area on vacation they can easily find everything of interest in our area.  The Princess Theatre will soon be up and operating and there will be plenty of entertainment for visitors to enjoy.

I encourage you all to go to the nomination page (CLICK HERE) and give our Princess the thumbs up!

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Soon Harriman, and the Roane County, Tennessee area will see a fourth rebirth of their beloved Princess Theater. The birth of the Princess came in 1926, but the theater was heavily damaged in 1932 by fire. In 1939 the theater was completely gutted by yet another fire! Ten months after that January fire, its second and most devastating fire, which caused and estimated 50,000 1939 dollars worth of damage, the Princess Theater reopened the third time to grand local fanfare and Hollywood well wishes.

After closing in 1999, a dream has been ever present in hearts and minds of many area residents. But maybe that dream burned most with Muse Watson and Gary Baker who had the idea of buying the Princess about the same time, however, in the beginning they were competitors. Muse heard that a “Harriman Business Man” was also interested in buying the Princess. Muse just knew that this “business man” was going to buy it first and “put in a parking lot”! So Muse calls Gary and they realize they have the same dream, a dream to preserve the Princess and create a place that children could come and learn about “the arts”. Not only could they learn about the arts, but come away with an educated experience that would serve them in careers in the arts and media. After talking it over several times, they decided to join forces, and together they bought the Princess. Later it was turned over to the City of Harriman, and is now waiting to be turned over to Roane State Community College.

In September of 2009, a the Princess Theater Board of Directors accepted a resolution stating that “The Princess Theater Foundation Board accepts Frank Sparkman as the architect of record, as well as, the design and construction manager for the Princess Complex Project.”

Frank Sparkman, of Sparkman & Associates Architects, Incorporated, has over 32 years of experience and expertise in theater restoration. Frank Sparkman has been dreaming of working on this project for nearly ten years, and began working with the foundation back in 2000.

The firm’s specialty is the restoration and preservation of historic buildings of all types. The Princess will be restored to its former glory, while bringing the interior up to current building and safety codes. Modernizing the Princess will be done in such a way as to preserve the historic qualities that will one day (hopefully soon) qualify the Princess Theatre to be added to National Registry of Historic Places.

The Princess will be the largest small town theater on which the firm has worked. The Princess ranks in the large category because of its 900 seating capacity (400 balcony/500 ground level). The Bijou Theatre in Knoxville is only a 750 seat facility. Naturally, seats have gotten larger, as we, as a people, have grown, so some space will be lost. Still the theater should remain in the large theatre category!

The Princess is currently reaching the end of a restoration project that will give the theater a new purpose and lease on life. The restoration project has been a long journey that began with a “dream”, a dream that almost didn’t happen due to lack of funding. However, with a Tennessee State grant for a “trailhead”, and a TVA grant given after the devastating Kingston ash spill, funding has been made available and the project is well on its way to a late fall 2011 grand opening.

The restored Princess Theater will be home to classic movies, reunions, gospel concerts, country and blue grass music shows and festivals, and stage productions. Since Roane State will have two theatre stages, more plays will give more students experience in lighting, prop building, sound engineering, TV and video camera and editing equipment, and, of course, the art of acting and directing. Remember too, that whatever happens on the Princess stage can be broadcast out on Comcast’s broadband network to numerous counties in East Tennessee, or even picked up from the fiber and uplinked to satellites that could take productions nationwide!

The Roane State/City of Harriman’s Channel 15 studio, which began broadcasting in December of 2010, itself will have the latest in sound engineering and recording, video/sound editing, switching, CGI set generation, and video cameras. It is conceivable that locally produced television programs could be uplinked to buyers like National Geographic, Discovery, and others. This is exactly how shows like “Dirtiest Jobs”, “Pickers”, “Pawn Shop”, etc. get produced and sold to cable channels. They originate in small studios by someone locally who also has a dream!

Roane State Community College will manage and perpetually preserve our dream. Once the restoration is complete, ownership will be transferred to RSCC. Through their educational funding, they will be able to add the new facilities to their funding care. This will mean that the floors will be swept, the lights will burn, the water will run, and the heat and air will run. The benefit to our children is that they can come to Roane State and prepare themselves for the future by taking “Mass Communications and Art” courses. These credits will be transferable to other four-year institutions. However, our students will have the added experience of actual hands-on television and theater productions work.

“The Princess Performing Arts, Education and Conference Center” exemplifies a place where culture will be continually given to the residents of Harriman and the entire valley area. This historical facility is part of the local culture and lives in the hearts of those that were privileged to have enjoyed a Saturday matinee, or a weekend date with their first loves, there. This culture will be passed on to succeeding generations through movies, plays, music, and a unique learning experience. The Princess Theatre will also win over the hearts and minds of visitors to the area for years to come.

Seasons Open: The Princess will be open year around once the restoration is complete.

Hours Open: The lobby (Tennessee Trailhead) will be open M-Sat., 9 to 5

Fees: Depends on performance.

Eco-Friendly NotesThe theatre and marquee will utilize new LED technology for lighting.

JUST ANOTHER RESTORATION UPDATE ON THE PRINCESS

I'm still getting consoled because the Princess Project has run out of money...sad, especially when one can just drive by and see that the restoration is alive and well!  I've stopped defending it verbally, and just ask them to check out the Princess Blog...pictures are worth so much more than words.

Oh yea of little faith...what a great surprise it will be to you one day.  Yep, you'll wake up some glad morning, take off your blinders, and there she will be...still welcoming you to come inside, as if you had always believed!

So, if anyone whispers a rumor about the Princess to you, just direct them to this blog...more than enough said!

PRINCESS RESTORATION UPDATE

Pictures speak a thousand words, and this post is a pure photo exposé on the current progress of the Princess restoration.  So much has happened since my last tour of the project and I was so surprised, pleased, and down right proud!

That's exactly how Rhonda Whiting (Sister's of the Silver Sage) and "Marshal" Andy Smalls felt when they visited the complex Monday.  The two local celebrities came to the Channel 15 studio to record some promos for the Princess and add their support for the project.  They both plan on performing soon on the Princess stage!

Currently, the projected opening is early fall, but I can't give you a firm date as yet.  You know how construction/restoration projects go, so just remain calm and I'll let you know the date/s and times of the two-day grand opening "party" that's planned!

Now, on to the photos!

Frank Sparkman (beard) and project supervisor Bill Milburn go over changes to the blueprints in the lobby of the Princess. 

There are miles of electrical, sound, and video wiring in hundreds of runs of conduit going into the project.

The new modern electrical room fits neatly around the walls of the prop/storage room, which is inside the new addition to the east rear wall of the Princess.

Performers will be able to park just outside the rear of the theater and bring their equipment directly to the stage on the right (photo above).  The electrical room is on the right of this photo, and the "dressing rooms" are straight down the hall on the left. 

Notice how thick the original Princess outside wall is!

The new door on the left is cut from the original Princess lobby and into the old Margrave drugstore area, where a new concession counter will be cut through the right wall (see next photo down) and into the Tappan building area.

Within the steel framed area above will be the new concession counter.  The framed in area shown in the photo above will house the elevator to the balcony.

This photo shows the inside of the "Tappan" building.  The working area of the concession counter will be framed in on the left wall.  Further back, in the dark, is the wall that separates the "dressing room" areas from this section of the complex.

These vertical shots were placed here, basically for convenience...they fit nicely!  The one on the left is of the original upstairs women's restroom, and the right one is looking through the new doorway from the "Margrave" building into the current lobby.  The new lobby area will cover both the original lobby, where there will be another concessions area, and the expanded lobby area within the Margrave building.  (See the floor plan for reference HERE!)

Up in the balcony I found the projection booth and two new enclosures on each side.  The projection booth will be used as it was intended, while the two other enclosures will provide housing for storage and sound equipment.

The balcony flooring is presently covered while wiring, AC/HVAC, lighting, and ceiling work is being done.  You can also see the strong new roofing support at the top of the photo.

The original upstairs mezzanine, outside the restrooms, will be getting a new face-lift as well.  Note the old mirror hanging over the stairs...it will soon reflect a new modern theater!

This photo shows the inside of the women's "dressing room".  Use your imagination and see the multiple lighted mirrors hanging along the wall, with actors busily applying makeup and reciting lines!

Actors will leave the "dressing rooms" on the right and travel the short distance to the stage entrance on the left.  Frank Sparkman stands in the alley behind the Princess.

The new addition with a roll-up door to the alley opens into the prop/storage area.  This is roll-up door is where performers will roll their equipment to the stage.

Many long hot hours have been spent on this project by local workers doing manual labor necessary to make the complex work properly.  The steel framed areas will be new doorways into the theater area.  This particular work is being done just behind the "dressing rooms" in the "Margrave" building area.

This photo shows back stage at the Princess and the basement opening.

This shot is from the stage toward the balcony.  It won't be long before all this scaffolding will be torn down and the ceiling, lighting, and painting will all be done.  Then comes the flooring and seating...how exciting is that!

 

It won't be long now until we will step up to the ticket booth (left) and purchase a ticket for the best entertainment around!

Outside, the new LED lights of the Princess' marquee will beckon us into her seats and "the dream" will be complete!

If there is anything, or particular place, you would like to see presented here, let me know by leaving a comment.

Hope to see all of you soon at the Princess!

 

JUNE'S CRUISIN' IN HARRMAN OFFERS A SPECAIL TRIBUTE TO ONE OF ITS OWN

Again this past Saturday, the 2nd Saturday of the month, "Cruisin' In Harriman" celebrated on Roane Street with classic cars, games, food, music, and dancing, as always.  However, this particular Saturday was special.  The colleagues of long time Harriman supporter, event worker, and publisher/editor of the "Roane Reader" Sandra Lemons Stout, remembered their beloved friend in a very special way.

Sandra stood with them again, as she has for years, advertising her popcorn and t-shirt sales.  

The UPS Store in Midtown made a life size blowup of a photo I took of her one year ago.  It made a difference in the mood of the event, without which the occasion would have much more somber and lonely.  

 

Even husband Johnny Stout seemed moved by the photo and sat near it with a bit of a smile on his face.  He knows what Harriman, the Princess, and the many events she supported meant to her, and, in a way, she was there.

I have it on good authority that Sandra will make another appearance at the Princess grand opening...coming this fall!  She always wanted to be there, and she will!

Again we wish to thank Sandra (and her entire family) for all she did for her community over the years, and mostly for just being our friend.

Also on hand, as the winner does every June, was "Miss Polk Salad"!  This year's winner Taylor Lindsay put smiles on everyone's face as she signed autographs, played games, and danced to the music.  David Webb, the president of the Tennessee "Polk Salad" Association, was also on hand to present this year's winner.

The Cruisin' event was hosted and emceed by Tommy Hardin, who kept the crowd singing and dancing in the streets.  Tommy always keeps events hopping and moving forward, and we were proud to have him on hand.

There are lots of events in Harriman, and in Roane County, so come on out and join us!  There's nothing more American than a good ol' fashioned street event in small town USA!

MATT WATERS NAMED MANAGER OF CHANNEL 15

The Princess Restoration Project has been blessed again, Mr. Matt Waters has been hired by Roane State to manage Roane State and the City of Harriman’s Channel 15 TV station! Matt is currently working through the transition with Bill Radice at the station.

 

Mr. Radice plans to resume his retirement, and we certainly owe him a great debt of gratitude for his time and effort over the past year. Without Bill, the station would just now be getting underway. However, Bill’s expertise has given us a state-of-the-art station that has been broadcasting since December 3, 2010.

 

Matt, who will also be teaching at Roane State, was hired as the Channel 15 Manager/Mass Communications Lecturer just this past week. He brings loads of education and experience to the position, and will bring fresh new ideas to the station’s purpose for and position in the community.

 

He asks for the community’s input for the direction of the station. Send your questions about, and comments/suggestions for Channel 15 directly to Matt at watersmh@roanestate.edu or call 354-3000 ext. 4429.

 

See Roane State’s OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE HERE.

 

Matt started his communications career in newspaper, then moved into radio production and ultimately TV production. He graduated from UT in 1999 (bachelor's degree in broadcasting) and 2000 (master's degree in communication).

 

Matt currently owns 865 Video Productions, which specializes in video transfers.

 

He is the executive board secretary for AnimalWorks, a low-cost spay/neuter organization based in Alcoa.

 

Matt and his wife Katie Jones Waters, live in Knoxville with their daughter Stella (age 2) and Trixie Lulu, the loving family dog!

Mr. Waters’ experience also comes from these past involvements:

1998-2000 - studio production and master control at WBXX-TV, now called CW20 - Knoxville
2000-2001 - promotion producer at WWAY News Channel 3 - Wilmington, NC
2001-2004 - promotion producer and webmaster at WVLT Volunteer TV - Knoxville
2004-2008 - production and promotion manager at WMAK-TV - Knoxville
2008-2011 - commercial producer at Comcast Spotlight - Knoxville

THE PRINCESS RUMOR MILL

I get so tired of hearing rumors about the Princess, rumors started by the opposition and those weak in faith!  Rumors like...."Pssst, the Princess is running out of money...yeah, there's no hammering going on in there!"

Well, where is all this dust on Roane Street coming from?  Is it just people that have brought in their own equipment and are tearing out the old Tappan and Margrave Drug building flooring with their own money and time?  I think not!

The restoration project is still going on and moving toward a grand opening soon.  I know there are lots of folks that will hate to hear that, but I'm loving telling them the truth!  The dream ain't going away!

The old flooring was being ripped up this week and dumped in a large dumpster sitting on Roane Street.  This demolition work paves the way for the restoration of the two old buildings to the right of the Princess.  If you remember from the drawing I posted HERE previously, this expansion will extend the lobby for the "Trail Head", new concession area, and house the area for the new elevator and restrooms, the "green rooms", dressing rooms, and the prop storage/construction area.

And, it case you haven't noticed, the canopy has been prepped to support the new LED-equipped marquee coming soon. 

Yes, things are moving right along...don't worry...it's going to happen!

THE PRINCESS LOST A GREAT CHAPMPION TODAY

I was saddened today when I learned that Sandra Lemons Stout had passed away.  Not only was she a friend, but she was a strong advocate of the City of Harriman and the Princess Theatre project.  She will be sorely missed by all those that knew her and worked beside her at various Harriman events.  We all need to step up and try and match her contributions and service to Harriman.

She loved the Princess and looked so forward to seeing her "grand" opening.  Sadly, she will not be there in person when that day comes, but her spirit will be with us.

May God keep you close until we meet again my friend.

Here is a montage of photos I found in my archive of Sandra...notice the smiles!

AREA EDUCATORS VISIT THE PRINCESS COMPLEX

Vera Scarbrough, Morgan County Educator and Princess Theatre Restoration Committee board member, organized a tour of the Princess Complex for Roane and Morgan County educators, who met at 1PM today in the Channel 15 Studio.  The distinguished group listened intently as Harriman Mayor, Chris Mason, Bill Landry, Bill Radice, and architect Frank Sparkman laid out the plan forward for the "Princess Performing Arts, Education, and Conference Center".

Restoration work, while never an exact science, is expected to end for the Princess Auditorium area by the end of June.  However, the lobby, which includes the "Trailhead" area, my take a little longer.  Closing the loose ends with TDOT is taking longer than expected, but should be wrapped up soon.

The educators were told that the Princess Complex is there for their students, and were encouraged to start planning for their student's use of the facility.  This "state-of-the-art" facility is already providing education to area high school students.  Some of the current students in Brooks Benjamin's weekly "Introduction to Film and Television" class were on hand today to attest to fact that the Complex is already paying dividends.

Outside, the precursory work for the new marquee is evident from the street.  The new marquee, while retaining a similar look to the 1939 grand opening canopy, will embrace modern LED technology for lighting.

The group moved inside to witness ongoing work on the new ceiling, which hangs beneath the new substantial roof support structure.  After the ceiling is in place, the lighting will be added, and then the final paint will be added to the auditorium area.

Most impressive, and it will become much more evident once the scaffolding is removed, is the enlarged Princess stage.  The enhanced stage will be large enough for the most robust of dance productions, and yet intimate enough for a single spot-lighted solo act!

I was so pleased to see my new friend Steve Scarbrough in the group today.  He and I ventured off into the upper reaches of the building next door to shoot some "artsy" shots of old plaster board, lighting fixtures, and vintage wallpaper that was showing through in spots.  Some were 3 or 4 layers deep into past history!

I can hardly wait to see his shots, and possibly read his take on the "plan forward".  I even offer him post space here if he so wishes.

Come on folks...get excited about it!  Lay aside your politics and special interest and just be happy for our children.  If something like this had been around when I was a teenager, I wouldn't have had to let fate decide my destiny.  

How blessed they are!