Mt. Airy’s Quintessence Theatre is developing a new and improved theater experience as it embarks on a series of renovations to its home, the historic Sedgwick Theater. With big changes coming, including updating the electrical system, remaking the theater’s original marquee, and adding new lights and signage, the staff is excited to provide visitors with an even more magical and immersive experience when they step inside.

When the Sedgwick opened in 1928 as a 1,600-seat theater designed by architect William Harold Lee, it was one of hundreds of movie palaces that operated in that era. Now, only a handful remain. With the coming renovations, the Sedgwick hopes to bring back the historic feel and complement it with modern technology that upgrades the viewers’ experience.

Quintessence Executive Director Erica Ezold and Artistic Director Alexander Burns have been working together on this process.

“I think our audience understands that when they walk in as well, that they feel like they’re walking into a piece of history,” Ezold said. “With the renovations, we’re just aiming to make sure that the building can continue to flourish in that way for the next 100 years and really keep serving the community as well.”

The first phase of renovations will upgrade the original power system that was built in the 1920s to be smoother for both staff and visitor experiences. It also will restore the building’s historic facade, and install a replica of the original marquee that was removed in the 1960s. With so many big changes, Ezold and Burns are expecting the entirety of the multi-phase renovation process to take nearly a decade.

“If we had all the money tomorrow we could probably do it within two years, but we’re assuming it’s going to be at least an eight-year process.” Ezold said. “We’re really excited to put the new marquee on the building [because] it’s the first step in shining a light both on this project and on this block of Germantown Avenue, and really indicating what’s possible if we revitalize this building for the community.”

With Quintessence inviting visitors to its first full season since the COVID-19 pandemic, these renovations are expected to elevate the theater’s performances as well. For this, its 17th season, Quintessence will feature six new productions starting this fall, opening with Jen Silverman’s “Witch” on Sept. 30 and “Pippin” on Nov. 18.

“I think that there’s so much divisiveness right now and so much isolation that it’s really important to try to create and keep these spaces going,” Ezold said. “[It’s important to] provide opportunities for people to gather and be together and understand each other.”

The renovations, paired with the upcoming season, are intended to bring a new life to the theater as many artistic outlets are still struggling through the rise of online media over recent decades. With the near extinction of movie palaces in Philadelphia, creating a flourishing home for the arts is even more important to the Sedgwick team.

“We’re a classic theater company, and part of why the company started in Philadelphia or came to this area, Northwest Philadelphia and Mt. Airy, was because of the Sedgwick,” Burns said. “The classics are usually epic stories ... and coming into the Sedgwick really prepares you for something extraordinary.”

“Both projects are kind of similar [as in] the art we make as well as for what we’re trying to do with the building,” Burns said. “We’re challenging ourselves to say, ‘What does it mean today?’ ‘How is it most exciting and accessible to our audience today?’ and ‘How do we bridge those two realities?’”

Quintessence at the Sedgwick Theater is located at 7137 Germantown Ave. Subscriptions, show descriptions, and pricing are available online at QTGrep.org, by calling the box office at 215-987-4450, or emailing the BoxOffice@QTGrep.org. All tickets must be purchased either over the phone or online during construction.