SCHENECTADY, NY—SEPTEMBER 15, 2014—Early this evening, Proctors CEO Philip Morris was joined by Mayor Gary R. McCarthy and Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen for the inaugural lighting of the renovated Proctors marquee.
The culmination of a multi-phase, $250,000 project, the “new” marquee—refurbished by Olson Signs & Graphics of Scotia, NY and upgraded by Fiberdyne Labs, Inc., of Frankfort, NY—marries the iconic Proctors look with state of the art digital imagery for a beautiful addition to State Street’s freshly sown field of contemporary blade signs.
“The updated marquee at Proctors beautifully mixes the best of the classic and the modern,” said McCarthy. “The new look is symbolic of our rejuvenated downtown which honors our city’s rich history while mixing in modern design.”
Also joining Morris, McCarthy and Gillen at the ceremony were representatives of marquee sponsors Times Union and Keeler Motor Car Company; Schenectady County Legislature Vice-Chair Karen B. Johnson; Rich and Art Olson of Olson Signs & Graphics; Peter Polus of Fiberdyne Labs, Inc; members of the Proctors board of directors; Proctors staff members; and local business representatives.
Olson built and installed the landmark sign in 1983, basing its design on the initial marquee that first called patrons to F.F. Proctor’s 432 State Street entertainment palace in 1926.
Using a crane, Olson removed the three main faces in early July, returning them to the Scotia workshop to be cleaned, sandblasted, repaired and painted. At the same time, Fiberdyne created the five LED panels which now grace the State Street marquee as well as the GE Theatre marquee, and accompany the smaller Stratton Plaza “Vaudeville” marquee, which was renovated in place.
The new LED screens will allow the venue to display its classic black and white lettering schemes, but also to offer exciting Broadway graphics.
Morris said, “We’re thrilled with the remarkable work by our staff, Olson, the folks at Fiberdyne and support contractors Schenectady Hardware & Electric and John Musco Painting, Inc. The marquee looks great, the digital panels are wonderful and we’re respecting the theatre’s history by keeping the look that patrons and passersby have loved for over 30 years.”
Safety was one of many factors in the decision to upgrade the marquees. All five screens can now be programmed from a single source inside Proctors. In the past, employees had to mount ladders and hydraulic lifts to change signs—difficult work, particularly in bad weather.
As part of the extensive work—blessed by local historical committees—all 1400 circa-2007 custom-made LED bulbs in the State Street “electric tiara” were removed and replaced with energy-saving equivalents—the same (still in progress) for the 650 bulbs of the Stratton Plaza marquee.
Disney’s Newsies, which plays at Proctors Oct. 11–17, will be the first Key Private Bank Broadway Series show to be featured on the marquees. The show’s production staff is now in the building working on the launch of the North American tour of the show.
The theatre is currently seeking additional marquee sponsors for the project.