Shaw Center making upgrades to Hartley/Vey Studio

Plans are in the works to create a direct entranceway to the Hartley/Vey Studio inside the Shaw Center, a move that will open up the space for more events. Renee Chatelain, executive director of the Shaw Center, says there will be an entrance on North Boulevard to the studio. “This will be directly accessible from the town square,” Chatelain says. Already the lighting and speakers in Hartley/Vey have been improved. The Hartley/Vey Studio has a capacity of 150 to 250, depending upon whether there are tables in the room. “It’s kind of got a club feel in there, since it’s an open space,” she says. The plan is to have an accessible, more casual space in the Shaw Center, in contrast to the Manship Theatre, which has seating. Chatelain wants to see touring bands and dinner cabaret shows go into Hartley/Vey. “We want to have events that tie in with Live After Five,” she says. Plans are to have the work finished by June 2012. —Timothy Boone