Pankow is currently providing construction services for The Ford Theatres Project. The historic John Anson Ford Theatres, a 1,200-seat open-air amphitheater originally built in 1920, is tucked into steep canyon walls in the Cahuenga Pass. A program of the LA County Arts Commission, the theatre is nestled in natural surroundings on county parklands, delivering performances from a diverse group of LA County artists.
Scope of work includes extensive demolition, design-build shoring, fire suppression, and sound. There are new retaining walls, site drainage, below-stage expansion and build-out, theatrical audio/visual, and lighting, MEP systems and historic restoration.
Oxana Ermolova reports on the Ford construction with Production Manager Arthur Trowbridge! Grab your hardhat, here we go!
Arthur proudly points out “the hole” where the Ford stage once stood. For him, the project has a very personal dimension: He’s spent countless hours getting to know every nook and cranny of this place, not to mention providing technical expertise to hundreds of artists. “I practically raised my son in these production offices,” he says.Construction workers burrow into the bedrock under the stage. According to Arthur, the number one item found during the excavation process is beer bottles. But, he says, the process also creates a potential for more significant finds; a representative of the Native American tribe that used to reside on these lands was on-site in case artifacts emerged.Just a few weeks later “the hole” was filled up with five trucks worth of concrete!Currently, workers are building out the artist facilities under the stage!Now, we’re under the seating area. You can see where the old dressing rooms and green room once were!And here’s a bird’s eye view of the amphitheatre… Still stunning even in the middle of construction!Arthur examines wall mock-ups in the parking lot. These walls are meant to evoke the organic patterns of rocks native to the area.A mock-up of the stage-to-come is also gracing the parking lot. The mini stage tests out different weather protection, board installation and staining techniques. It also invites local lizards, birds and small mammals to put on a show!Arthur gazes out at the amphitheatre after our tour. Though there’s still a ways to go, he says he can’t wait to share the renovated amphitheatre with his son and the world.
Tom Explores Los Angeles and meets with Arthur. Watch below.
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