Helen Hayes Theater

Second Stage Theater

Zubatkin was a critical partner in the renovation of the Landmarked Helen Hayes Theater. Their ability to help us navigate challenges and guide us through the project’s key decisionmaking points made our organization feel more in control of a very complicated process.  Their team’s hands-on management of the design, procurement, construction, and budget, including all aspects of the City funding, was an invaluable resource.

Mr. Casey Reitz
Executive Director of Second Stage Theater

Founded in 1979, Second Stage is a not-for-profit theater company dedicated to producing work entirely by 21st century American playwrights.  To expand its mission and establish a permanent home on Broadway, the organization acquired the historic Helen Hayes Theater and developed plans to establish it as a space for contemporary plays with a particular focus on works by women and minorities.

The smallest of the Broadway theaters at just under 600 seats, the Helen Hayes Theater is over one-hundred years old and has a Landmarked interior and exterior.  Second Stage embarked on a complete renovation of the building, carefully balancing the historic character of the building with a modern, contemporary aesthetic to align with the productions hosted.  Program elements included renovation of the stage house, a new counterweight rigging system, and improvements to the seating, lobby, patron amenity spaces, offices, dressing rooms and restrooms.  The scope also addressed critical upgrades to the building systems, modifications to make the facility fully accessible to attendees, and the reconstruction of a small, four-story annex adjacent to the theater.  The project involved historic tax credits, funding from the City of New York, and securing approvals from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Role + Responsibilities

Zubatkin served as a trusted advisor, managing the design, construction and operational transition of the new facility to Second Stage. The Zubatkin team developed the overall budget and provided expertise in the City funding application process through NYCEDC, advising on the cost structure, contract management and associated requisition reviews. The firm’s In-House Technical Group assisted in the review of drawings and supported value engineering efforts.

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  • Client Second Stage Theater
  • Location New York, NY
  • Size

    16,800 sf

  • Architect
    • Rockwell Group
  • Construction Manager
    • Yorke Construction Corporation

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