Sitting on the newest stage of this Columbus theater complex, Springer Opera House CEO Danielle Varner reflected on what she described as “a glorious space” and the approximately $3 million in donations that produced it.
“We envisioned something like this for the Springer, but we never thought we would be able to get here,” she told the Ledger-Enquirer, “and through the Forever Springer campaign and the generosity of this community, it’s come to fruition.”
The venue’s formal name is the Pierce Anderson Theatre in the Outdoors, honoring two pillars of the 155-year-old historic State Theatre of Georgia: retired producing artistic director Paul Pierce and the late Ron Anderson, founder of the Springer Theatre Academy.
But you can call it by its acronym, The PATIO, because that’s what the Springer calls it — and that’s what it looks like.
This 15-month construction project converted the Springer’s staff parking lot at the corner of 10th Street and Second Avenue into a stage, sound and lighting booth, concession stand, and an expanse of artificial turf for portable seating during events, plus a place for the public to otherwise use as an urban park…