Issaquah’s nationally renowned First Stage Theatre is getting a makeover.

Reconstruction of the theater — an approximately $2.5 million project that makes up phase two of Village Theatre’s capital campaign — is poised to begin this spring. Schematics and designs have been developed, and the project received an enthusiastic response from the development commission earlier this month.

First Stage Theatre opened in 1979 as Village Theatre’s main stage, and stayed that way for 15 years until the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre took over, and First Stage was assigned to KIDSTAGE productions, classes and debuting new musicals.

The latter earned the organization national prominence as a fount of new musical theater shows, many of which have transitioned to arena stages in some of the country’s biggest cities.

Robb Hunt, executive producer for Village Theatre, said they receive several hundred scripts every year to choose from. He said the theater is unique in that it works closely with the writers to develop every aspect of the show from scratch.

“We have a knack for working with the writers and putting together teams that can make these shows happen,” Hunt said. “It’s amazing that we have this building where we go from readings to workshops to developmental productions to the main stage. That’s unique nationally.”

But the same building that premiers successful show after successful show doesn’t really meet the needs of the production – and, it’s falling apart.

Hunt said a renovation had originally been planned for the building, but a tour with the construction company and engineers revealed that it had to be reconstructed. When it was originally built in 1913, it was done without a foundation, and, as a result, the sides have sunk.

“(The theater) is shaped like a funny little ball,” he said.

Construction will provide a chance to bring the building up to safe environmental standards, and when it’s finished, it will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, which means it “meets the highest green building and performance measures,” according to the U.S. Green Building Council.

Hunt listed bicycle racks and bamboo flooring as just a few of the environmental upgrades.

The renovation will also bring new amenities to the actors, such as stage wings, a green room and improved dressing rooms. Currently the stage stretches straight back, and actors use a rented trailer behind the theater as their dressing room. The new design will provide six feet of extra space on each side of the stage, which Hunt said will be a big help during future performances.

In order to construct the wings – and install windows on the south side – the building will be moved slightly to the north, off of the property line. The modest shift will create extra space for construction, ensure the building meets code and, as a plus, provide a “glorious, unobstructed view” of Mount Rainier, Hunt said.

The seating will also be revamped with a telescopic arrangement, which means seats will be on moveable risers that fold against the back wall, creating a flat floor. The arrangement will be helpful for classes and rehearsals, and allows for cabaret-style theater.

“We’re really excited about (the changes),” Hunt said. “It all gives us some flexibility we don’t have right now.”

Seating space will be reduced though, from 220 to 195, a decision Hunt said was made for several reasons. It keeps costs down, meets various union regulations and also allows the theater to continue using its current parking. He also said the 220 seats are rarely filled, and additional shows can always be scheduled.

The store front of the building won’t change substantially – high windows will be added in the front to mimic the original 1913 look, and as much old material as possible will be re-used.

“We still want to keep it feeling like it always has felt; similar size, similar exterior look…” Hunt said. “This is our building, and we’re going to restore it lovingly, and make it look very much like it did originally, but more capable for what we want to do.”

Many of the details – such as where classes will be held during construction and where all the funding will come from – haven’t been worked out yet.

“It’s a little hard to plan because we don’t know exactly when the groundbreaking date is going to be,” Hunt said.

The tentative timeline is to begin construction on the project in spring 2009, and finish in about eight months. The theater has received some funding from the state, the city of Issaquah and a handful of private donors, but is still searching for more. Hunt said the project is in a “silent phase” of fundraising currently, which means there isn’t much public discussion of it. That will come in the spring, when the theater will begin selling seats and asking for donations.

Hunt emphasized the importance of supporting the theater, not only through donations, but simply by coming to see a show.

“People don’t really quite know what we’ve got on the Eastside,” he said. “People don’t really quite believe we hit the level that we do. But … we’re able to do some phenomenal things on the stage.”