SAK Comedy Lab’s new theater is taking shape on Church Street, and it makes a far more striking first impression — even with work left to be done — than the improv troupe’s current home.
“It’s going to be very special when you’re in here,” said SAK executive director Chris Dinger, giving a preview of the new space at 55 W. Church St. downtown. “I immediately felt good about it.”
SAK soon will vacate its current home at 29 N. Orange Ave., where it has occupied several floors since 2010. There, patrons were greeted by a small front desk and utilitarian staircase as they entered.
But in the new digs, on the second floor across a pedestrian bridge from Fringe ArtSpace, guests will enter what appears to be a city-street scene. The themed environment, with a brick-faced “building” within the building is designed to create an urban vibe.
“It’s a New York cityscape feel,” Dinger said. The box office will have a Radio City Music Hall-style marquee. Patrons will enter the actual theater down a city-style alleyway.
Two Orlando companies are responsible for creating the new space: McCree General Contractors and Architects is building out the venue, while Adirondack Studios, a scenic-design firm, is responsible for the look.
There will be familiar touches in the lobby as well: Art by Bob Kodzis, whose work graces the current location, will be cleverly displayed in the fake theater facade’s doors. The bar, at the end of the lobby, is a transplant from the Orange Avenue space.
The expansive lobby windows will open to the outside, providing fresh-air views of the Church Street plaza below.
Of course, a comedy troupe can’t resist a joke: An old company logo hangs over a rear entrance to the theater, which has been dubbed the “throwback door.”
The complex, which includes a small SAK office and three classrooms, as well as a greenroom for the performers, is smaller than the 33-year-old company’s current location. But patrons are unlikely to notice the size differential too much. Much of the space cuts came from corridors and stairwells; the new venue, with everything on one floor, has a more efficient layout. Another chunk came from the SAK staff’s office.
“We’re really embracing the work-from-home idea,” said Dinger, so not as much office space was required.
The theater itself is smaller, retaining the intimate vibe of SAK’s former home. All-new seating will accommodate 175 people, down from the current theater’s 250, but Dinger said that average attendance is around 130 patrons per show.
Shortened 2024-25 Orlando Shakes season includes look at our American rights
A new drop ceiling will have insulation and acoustical panels to help the sound mix — and dampen any potential noise bleed for the 55 West residents who live overhead. Shows will end by 10:30 p.m. to minimize any possible disturbance to residents.
The stage’s “play space,” as Dinger calls it, will remain about the same for the improv performers, though it will boast a large new video screen that drops from the ceiling. There’s plenty of room for the musicians that generally accompany SAK shows.
“I wanted to be able to do what we’ve always done,” he said.
The new venue’s restrooms will offer more capacity, and the increased number of classrooms means more spots for students.
The cost of the move has grown to about $1.4 million from the original $1 million estimate, said Dinger, adding SAK had been setting money aside for a potential move for years. The city of Orlando has contributed about $300,000, as has the 55 West owner. Some of that money won’t be available until the construction is complete and the theater open, so SAK has secured a short-term bridge loan, Dinger said.
“We’re managing it by the skin of our teeth,” Dinger said.
As for the grand opening, Dinger is hopeful things will be ship-shape by the end of the month. Meanwhile, weekend shows continue around the corner on North Orange Avenue.
Dinger said the support shown to the organization has been heartwarming.
“The city has been great,” he said. “And we sat down with the owners of 55 West and they are very excited about what we’ll do here.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news at OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment.
