(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY – Reg Lenna Center for The Arts has upgraded its lighting and sound equipment with the generous support of several foundations and agencies. The upgrades are estimated to save the organization and its community partners up to $20,000 annually while meeting industry standards. Improved LED lighting gear is more energy efficient and includes color changing capabilities. The new multi-speaker sound system, which meets the needs of most modern touring productions, also distributes audio more evenly throughout the theater, ensuring every patron in the theater has the same listening experience.

The upgrades are a culmination of efforts to assess the current technical systems, price out upgrades and secure funding. The previous lighting and sound equipment were 20 and 30 years old, respectively. For those time periods, additional equipment was required to be rented for live performances, adding costs to both The Reg and entities renting the theater.

The improvements are already benefiting the users of the now 101 year old theater at The Reg. In December of 2023, national touring artists The Wizards of Winter “broke in” the new sound system during a well-received Christmas concert. Contract negotiations for upcoming live performances are happening much faster now that rented equipment does not need to be priced out. Local and regional organizations who utilize the theater annually for their annual productions will see a savings in technical costs as the labor for loading in rental equipment will be reduced, if not eliminated.

From The Italian American Charity Golf Association, renting the theater for a fundraising concert – Femmes of Rock April 27: “Enhancing the theater with upgrades in lighting and sound allows our charity substantial savings that otherwise would have had to be outsourced from a vendor. This in turn will allow us to increase our profitability and earmark more dollars to our Cancer Care initiatives locally at UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center in Jamestown. We, as renters, appreciate the ongoing efforts of The Reg to maintain a state-of-the-art venue, allowing similar type acts to be attracted for bookings at this spectacular venue.”

Collectively, the upgrades are a “win-win-win” for all those involved. All of the equipment was purchased and installed through Chautauqua County businesses, including Advanced Production Group, LLC. Our patrons, no matter where they are seated, will be treated to the same quality sensory experience throughout the theater. The Reg will become more of a touring destination for performers who might have otherwise passed the theater over. Finally, the organization and staff will save time and money, freeing up capacity and resources to improve other operational concerns.

Reg Lenna Center for The Arts attracts, on average, 30,000 patrons to its theater within a calendar year betweens live concerts, musicals, movies, film festivals, comedy performances and public speakers. Its community partners who use the theater include The National Comedy Center, Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, Roger Tory Peterson Institute and The Resource Center. Prpduction load-in, labor and technical work in and around performances is provided by stagehands from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) local 266.

This Capital Project is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Regionally, support was provided by Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Gebbie Foundation, Oishei Foundation and Hultquist Foundation for the project cost of $170,000.