The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-01
THE NEW PARK THEATER
PLANS SHOW 4 BEAUTIFUL AND COM
MODIOUS HOUSE.
a Sealing Capacity of 2.225-TwO Gal
leries and hume rous ENits-A
PrOscenium Novelty.

Dickson & Talbot have the plans pre-
pared for the new Park Theater and con-
tracts will probably be let within the next
ten days. The structure will be ready for
occupancy in August.
The building of the new theater arouses
more interest than is usually taken in a
structure of any kind. The public feels a
sense of something akin to ownership in a
place Of amusement. and this is especially
true of a theater as popular as the Park
has been for many years. The new Park
is going to be a beautiful theater and a
credit TO Indianapolis. both as regards
looks and safety. Nothing lacking 10 the
protection of the audiences will be omitted.
The main entrance on Washington street
as well as the stairways TO the different
floors. are to be something entirely new 10
this city in the way of theatrical architec-
ture. They will be elaborate and beautiful,
but the design will be kept a secret until
the opening night of the season. The en-
trance is to be wider than the old one and
in place of one box office there are to be
two, one on either side of the main en-
trance. In this wa the large crowds can
be handled just twice as quickly and peo-
pie will not be inconvenience by waiting
so long in line for tickets. The capacity of
the new Park will be considerably greater
than that of the old theater; the first floor
will seat 725 people. the balcony 600 and the
gallery. 600, allowing a space nineteen
inches in width to each person in the last
named portion of the house. even when ii
is filled. The first floor is to be fitted out
with handsome upholstered opera chairs of
the latest pattern. The balcony will have
folding opera chairs and half the gallery
will be furnished with folding chairs, while
the other half will be stationary seats.
There are IN no three fashion hnXpS IN
each side of the lower floor. These boxes,
will be a new style, open and affording a
tanned from most boxes. There will be no
boxes on the other floors. The proscenium
arch will be in design new 10 Indianapolis
and will come i'm for a large share of the
general admiration which the new theater
is expected to excite. The old-style high
proscenium. with its tab borders, will be
done away with entirely and in its place
an arch purely modern In design and dec
Grafton will be found. 1t has been the GUS
tom In the past TO build these arches high
and fill them in with stationary scenery.
The Parks new arch Will be a great i'm
provement or anything ever seen here. 1t
will be, in its general style. something after
the pattern OF the famous entrance to the
Transportation building at the worlds fair.
GENERAL DECORATIVE SCHEME.
The general scheme of decoration will be
bronze-green and gold. and the combina-
ton of color, the owners think, will be
found among the most effective yet used in
theaters. The stage will be a model in it's
way. and its scenic equipment is to be made
one of the features of the new house. The
old groove system will lie done away with
entirely and the scenery will consist largely
of drops and set pieces. The lighting ar
rangements will be new and novel and the
theater will be heated by what is known as
the indirect system. In warm weather cold
air can be pumped into the pipes instead of
hot air. an arrangement which will make
| the theater comfortable AT all seasons
Especial attention is to be given TO the
ventilation, and the latest improved system
will be used. The architects, Messrs. Yost
x Packard, have made a special study of
the ventilation of theaters and public build
ings in general
The main floor of the new theater is 10
be on a level with the street sidewalks.
That fact has been generally known, but ii
Will be a matter of interest to know that
the new Park is 10 be emptied in a minute
and a half. The main floor will have five
separate exits to the sidewalks. four of
which will be on Capitol avenue and one on
Washington street. The balcony, which is
on about the same level as the first floor
OF the old theater. will also have five sep
arate exits from which people may reach
either Washington street or Capitol ave
nue.. The gallery is TO have eleven outlets,
CONNECTED with stairways leading to both
the new theater is will not be because
there will not be ample opportunity to get
out without injury. Another admirable ar
rangement in connection with emptying
the theater and one not frequently found
in such buildings. is that there is an entire
ly separate and distinct outside exit for the
main floor, for the balcony and for the gal
lery. so that the people from each separate
part of the house need not come in contact
with those from either of the other parts
until they meet or the street outside. Be-
sides the means of egress for emergency.
the structural parts of the theater are to
be up TO the highest requirements of
safety. There will be a fireproof separa-
ton between the stage and the auditorium.
and an automatic arrangement in the roof
OF the stage for the escape OF smoke and
fire, should scenery or any other part about
the stage ignite. OF course, there will be
complete arrangements in the way of fire
| eXtinguishers. so that in case of a small
blaze IL can be put out without difficulty.
With the numerous exits that can be used
practically the entire Capitol-avenue side
of the theater can be thrown open.
Union labor only is TO be employed or
the building. Dickson & Talbot have
specified in all their contracts that only
such labor shall be engaged. and contrac-
tors are thus bound TO employ union mer
| exclusively.
The building is designed in the style OF
the Italian Renaissance. with notifications
and adaptations TO the purpose and locality
OF the structure. The material of the ex-
terror will be pressed brick, with terra-cot-