The Mainstage at ProctorsAn early Spring, guided walking tour of Proctors performing arts and entertainment complex is slated for Saturday, April 2 at 10am.
The free, open-to-the-public informational event will start in front of the Mainstage doors in the Golub Family Arcade and proceed to highpoints within the complex: backstage, dressing rooms, the GE Theatre at Proctors. The tour of the historic State Street site will conclude with an exciting demonstration by organist Carl Hackert playing Goldie, Proctors own Wurlitzer organ.
Mr. Hackert is a Crane School of Music graduate and Music Director at St. Gabriel's Church in Rotterdam. He has been performing on Goldie as well as helping to maintain Proctors famous 3/18 Wurlitzer wonder since 1983.
Mr. Hackert has served a classical keyboardist with area chamber music groups, orchestras and choruses, is a composer and teacher, and a representative for Allen Organ Company. He has played theatre organ programs and silent films throughout the northeast and helps to organize the MVP sponsored monthly Noontime programs for the Hudson-Mohawk chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS).
“Goldie” is an 18 rank, three-keyboard instrument that includes a full set of percussion instruments and a grand piano that can be played from the organ console. The Golub Foundation and members of the Golub family gifted the mighty Wurlitzer to Proctors in memory of Bernard and Sunshine Golub. Since the installation of Goldie, Proctors has maintained a chapter of the American Theater Organ Society, which provides the services of the organists who perform Proctors noontime concerts, as well as the crewmembers who maintain Goldie.
Responding to Visitor Requests
“With more and more visitors coming to downtown Schenectady, it seems only natural to welcome those who have expressed an interest in wanting to know more about this historic place," says Marilyn Sassi, a longstanding members of Proctors History Committee and Volunteer Coordinator of the informal but informative walkabouts.
Proctors is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2009 the League of Historic American Theatre commended Proctors as a theatre of exemplary vision and dedication to its community.
The April 2 tour includes:
- an informal, narrated history of Frederick Freeman Proctor and his impact on arts and entertainment in the extended Capital Region
- an overview of the architectural high points of the Proctors complex
- the new stage-house -- now three times larger than the original stage
- an insider’s look at backstage
- the new, star dressing rooms
- Proctors museum
- The Underground at Proctors Theatre
- Robb Alley improvements
A Tour to Remember
Originally built as a vaudeville house, Proctors has seen its stage graced by such legendary performers as comedians Red Skelton, George Burns and Gracie Allen, magicians Harry Blackstone Sr. & Jr., and bandleaders Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Glenn Miller.
In recent years, Proctors has hosted entertainers including Tony Bennett, Carol Channing, Tim Conway, Robert Goulet, Carol Burnet, Norah Jones, Brittney Spears, Aretha Franklin and Alice Cooper. Singer Mariah Carey chose Proctors as the site for her first concert special in 1993, and the theatre is featured prominently in the video for her big hit Hero.
Tours of the restored 1926 Vaudeville palace and the two new theaters are available and led by trained volunteers throughout the year as needed or upon request for private tours. Private tours for groups of fifteen or more can be arranged by calling Proctors Business Office at (518) 382-3884.
Informed, Experienced Guides
Marilyn Sassi facilitates all tours of the Proctors arts and entertainment complex; she schedules and conducts these informational gatherings in concert with a trained corps of committed volunteers.
Although she started her volunteer work as a member of The Theatre Guild at Proctors, over time she opted to combine her rich experience as a seasoned teacher specializing in material culture, architecture and area history with her enjoyment of people and love of Proctors. Ms. Sassi is a proactive contributor to Proctors History Committee.
All tours offer an informal glimpse of the entire facility, including the new Proctors Guild Room and Museum. These gatherings are always informal, fun and informative, says Ms. Sassi, who suggests that participants bring their friends and a camera.
“This is a tour that is enriched by questions, memories, and interaction.”
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