Theater

Once upon a time, the Taubman Museum of Art was supposed to have an IMAX theater inside. But once it was determined that an IMAX would not make money, the museum moved on to Plan B — a much smaller, more conventional theater that can also be used as a performance venue and high-tech art exhibit space.

"We can do drama. We can do real theater," said museum Executive Director Georganne Bingham of the venue, which will have its own entrance and seat up to 185. "Film is a big thing in art museums right now. It's going to be a very flexible space."

Architect Randall Stout said the new space will include a ceiling-mounted movie projector with additional hookups for two more projectors aimed at different walls, for video art installations. There will also be stage lights and upscale retractable seating, complete with arms and padded cushions and backs.

The outside of the museum, designed to accommodate an IMAX, has never been redrawn. The space for the bulky IMAX projection equipment still juts out over the sidewalk near Roanoke Valley Printworks on the Salem Avenue side of the museum.