John Anson Ford Theatres, Ford Amphitheatre

The renovation—conducted in off-season phases to avoid disrupting the venue’s schedule—includes a complete reseating of the venue, a new loading dock, dressing rooms, green room, performance lighting and electrical systems, and a new two-level stage, robust enough to handle equipment-heavy touring acts and stand up to Southern California’s sun and rain, and forgiving enough to host dance and drama. The renovations include a new control room suite, front-of-house theatrical lighting positions, and two 50-foot towers to support lighting and AV equipment. With a new concessions building that includes a full kitchen, a new picnic terrace, and a new sound wall to block the noise of nearby highway traffic, audiences will see and hear improvements everywhere they look.