Historic Audi Theatre Ready For New Season, Gala [VIDEO]

Two weeks ago it was ; on Sept. 14, it was the final touches.

A number volunteers polished brass, painted floors, and replaced the lightbulbs on the chandeliers at the historic , in preparation for the event on Sept. 18, and another year’s worth of entertainment.

Joye Olson, a volunteer with the Friends of the Concord City Auditorium, along with Donna Frederick, a city employee donating time at the Audi as part of the Great Day of Sharing, polished the chandeliers and replaced nearly 100 lightbulbs while Carol Bagan was painting floors backstage.

The chandeliers were lowered from the ceiling by hand crank and then Olson and Frederick replaced bulbs that had burned out.

Olson has been volunteering on the cleanup project for more than two decades and done everything at the Audi but acting, she said.

“Over the years, we’ve done a lot here,” she said. “I’ve done everything here from painting and cleaning the floor and polishing … and everything in between except I’m not an actress … I’m never on stage except to paint.”

Bagan noted that for the first time, sent over volunteers to help out, which helped to get things done more quickly.

Olson noted that in the first few years she started participating in the cleanup days, “it was so major … there was so much to do.” Now, volunteers are able to get everything done in about four days.

“The chandeliers can’t be done when there’s a big crowd here,” Bagan said. “They are old and fragile … so you put two people on them.”

Bagan said picture molding is going to be installed later this year. She said a number of volunteers spent time measuring the seats – which range from 15 to 17 inches in width – in order to prepare them to be reupholstered. New lightblocking screens will also be installed soon, Bagan said, to darken the room so it can be used for slideshows or presentations during the day.

Upcoming events

Upcoming events at the Audi include The : Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival Grand Film Event and Awards Show on Saturday, Sept. 17.

On Sunday, Sept. 18, the Audi Party and Arts Fair will be held and then after the party, the 21st Gala Variety Show, featuring a preview of 17 coming attractions at the Audi this season. More than $3,000 in raffle prizes will be given away.

The Walker Lecture Fund opens its 115th season on Sept. 23 and 24, with “A Full House 3 Queens and 2 Jacks.”