HAMPTON ROADS — Templin Hall and the Dr. Mary T. Christian Theater officially reopened Jan. 10 as the space was rededicated following two years of construction.
The original space, opened in 2002, was home to classrooms, laboratories, faculty and staff offices alongside the theater.
The building closed for classes and to the public in the spring of 2020 as part of the college’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, in April 2021, a portion of the roof collapsed. As the building was closed, there were no injuries. Construction on the new roof began in April 2023.
David Garrett, the theater manager for VPCC who is also an alumnus of the college, was excited to open the new space.
“This is a homecoming. We had an incredible community of artists around this space, dating back to before the auditorium itself opened. We had a growing performing arts club on campus in the mid-’90s that outgrew their spaces that were just waiting outside the door for this auditorium. The greater Hampton community that rallied around the arts here with local orchestras, ballets, community theaters. We had this incredible community of artists in addition to our students, faculty, and staff that were producing theater, that were training in voice, and so with the loss of that space, we’ve all been untethered. For me, we’re just excited to bring everyone home and together in this new space,” Garrett said.
Garett says that highlights of the space include the new counterweight fly system that will allow for larger set pieces that can be stored above the performance area, an expanded wing space for performers to use to enter and exit the stage, a wider stage, a new sound system, a new box office, new concession stand, enhanced accessibility, new lobby, all new LED lighting and additional seating.
The $17 million project was mostly funded by insurance money from the roof collapse and the Virginia Community College system.
Garrett also announced at the rededication that VPCC will return to producing a spring musical and hosting three student-led productions throughout the year.
More information on upcoming performances will be added to the VPCC website soon.