Huntsville approves contract for Mark C. Smith Concert Hall expansion

Published on January 11, 2024

Some big back-of-house changes at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall may lead to some big shows on the stage.

The concert hall will be undergoing the most extensive changes in its history after the City approved a $15.3 million contract with Turner Construction Company. The project includes a 12,000-square-foot addition to the facility of about 12,000 square feet as well as about 6,000 square feet of renovated backstage space.

Von Braun Center Executive Director Steve Maples said the improvements could be a prelude to iconic Broadway shows like “Phantom of the Opera” or “The Lion King” playing in Huntsville. In fact, Maples said representatives from the “Phantom of the Opera” production in New York traveled to Huntsville to review the concert hall and recommend enhancements.

Maples explained larger theater productions place more demands on a facility, including catering areas and dressing rooms. Those areas would be expanded as part of the agreement.

The planned improvements for the concert hall follow upgrades completed in 2021 that included new steel rigging with new line sets over the stage, a new truss over the orchestra pit, new audio points so speakers are hung rather than stacked on stage and more power for audio and truss hoists.

Those changes are also part of the effort to accommodate larger theater productions.

The construction is expected to take about a year to complete.