A Noise Within lowers its sights

The classical theater company A Noise Within has scaled back its plans for a new home on the west side of Louise Street in downtown Glendale. The changes coincide with a six-month extension, approved Tuesday by the Glendale Redevelopment Agency, of the company’s exclusive option on the city-owned property.

The capacity of the proposed theater has been reduced from 400 to 250, at least initially, and a few areas of the structure would be left undeveloped at first. The target of the capital campaign has dropped from $4.4 million to $2.5 million. The company has raised $662,000 and has set a goal of $1.2 million within six months.

“The economic climate is just not very good,” said managing director Todd Dellinger. But the company has cut rental costs by moving its offices out of a separate structure and into the former Masonic temple on Brand Boulevard where A Noise Within operates a 144-seat theater on a year-to-year-lease.

-- Don Shirley