The Gyumri Vardan Ajemian State Drama Theater has welcomed a record number of approximately 41,000 visitors over the past year. A significant portion, around 14,000, were schoolchildren who attended performances with free tickets provided by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia. The remaining 27,000 visitors also included those attending guest performances.
State Support Drives Theater Modernization
Aram Karapetyan, the theater’s director, informed Aravot.am that the Gyumri Theater is undergoing extensive modernization, being equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology. The lighting system has already been installed, and the sound system installation is underway, expected to be completed within five days.
The lighting equipment alone is valued at approximately AMD 94 million, while the sound system costs AMD 43 million. This modernization is supported by the state, with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports announcing a tender and a winning organization undertaking the installation work.
“In the last year alone, the state support to the Gyumri Theater from the Government of Armenia and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports amounted to approximately AMD 180 million,” Karapetyan stated. “This includes various types of support, both for lighting and sound technology. I don’t recall the theater receiving such comprehensive support in the last 20-30 years.”
Infrastructure Upgrades and Accessibility
Karapetyan also mentioned that a tender has been announced for the boiler room, with upgrades scheduled to begin by the end of March. The current boiler room has been operating with equipment from 1968, making repairs and finding spare parts challenging. The Ministry provided AMD 30 million for this crucial upgrade.
The theater’s roof also requires partial renovation, estimated at AMD 1.2 million. Furthermore, the theater’s 160th anniversary celebration was also supported by the Ministry, costing approximately AMD 15 million.
In collaboration with “Fast Bank,” the theater has renovated its restrooms, making them modern and accessible for people with disabilities. Additionally, the theater has installed new restrooms with shower facilities for artists, funded by its own resources.
To enhance accessibility, the theater’s auditorium steps have been adapted for people with disabilities. Karapetyan noted that 33 seats were removed from the 648-seat auditorium to create easier passage for individuals with mobility challenges.
Future Plans: Capital Expenditures and New Productions
For the current year, the theater has allocated AMD 20 million for capital expenditures. This includes replacing the stage floor, which has technical defects from the post-earthquake renovation, and updating the stage costumes, which are approximately 30 years old. The theater also plans to upgrade its fire safety system, a regular maintenance task costing around AMD 5 million every three years.
New productions are planned for the second-floor lobby, which has transparent windows. Curtains will be installed to allow for performances in this area without external visibility. “We have two stages, but we have a problem with the auditorium, we don’t have enough space, we work 24 hours a day,” Karapetyan explained.
The installation of the new sound system is being carried out during nighttime hours to avoid disrupting the theater’s busy schedule. “The Gyumri Drama Theater is truly very busy during this period,” the director added.
The Gyumri Drama Theater is preparing for three new premieres, guest performances, and participation in competitions and festivals. An interview with the theater’s artistic director, Ludwig Harutyunyan, about the creative novelties will be published later.
