Schenectady, NY
Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, NY, opened in the late 1920s as a prominent venue and later served as a movie palace before experiencing decline after World II. Community support and patron donations have enabled the theater to recover and now it is preparing for a $22.5 million expansion that will enlarge the backstage area, add a 450‑seat theater, and provide new offices and dressing rooms. The expansion will allow the venue to stage larger productions such as Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King while also offering more intimate performances in the new theater.