The Prairie School Municipal Building was constructed in 1923-24 to replace the demolished city hall, with the total cost of the building, equipment and site being $130,000. Terra cotta trimmed pilasters decorate the office section, while a bold white terra cotta border frames the theater wing. The Madison Prairie School architectural firm of Claude and Starck designed the building. The style is characterized by the facades’ strong geometric organization, the horizontal emphasis, the grouped windows, and the applied terra cotta ornamentation. The theatre interior includes ornamental plasterwork in the lobby and auditorium of classically inspired sways, garlands, friezes and borders. The orchestra pit could accommodate 20 musicians. Loge balconies are situated on both sides. The name of the Theatre was determined by a contest in April of 1924 won by J.H. Lewis of Platteville. The Grantland was considered to be “dignified and expressive of Grant County, of which Lancaster is the county seat.
1989 Theatre Restoration
The Grantland Theatre first became available for LCP in 1987 when a retractable screen was installed. The earnings from that first performance went to a complete renovation of the theatre in which many LCP members volunteered their time. It was completed in 1990. This new home provided for the first time storage of equipment. And, instead of renting lights and audio equipment for performances, they could be purchased.
One of the first improvements was a curtain set, expected to cost $14,500; all the profits from Historical Hysteria, the sesquicentennial production by LCP, went towards this cost. To help cover the cost of the restoration, symbolic seats were sold for $200 each to raise money. The plaque on the wall of the lobby shows donors and volunteers. At this time, many seats were removed, the wall behind the concession stand put in, and the outdoor ticket window was eliminated. Much of the cleaning was done by volunteers. Seats on the main floor were replaced. Balcony seats were removed, and seats from UW-Platteville were installed. Also in the balcony, walls were put in for a light booth and costume rooms.
New Improvements
The curtain set was the first of many new improvements that LCP have bought for the theatre. The curtain set consist of a great variety of drapes that can be controlled by a fly system. The front or house curtain is two parts that open horizontally. Behind the house curtain are four leg curtains on either side of the stage that hide the entrances from the wings and a mid curtain. The scrim is the back curtain which is made of one single sheet that can be used as a backdrop. A new scrim was installed recently.
The stage floor, measuring over fifty square feet, is newly refinished and repainted
There is a modern control booth containing a follow spot light and a lighting board. The lighting system includes two trees in the balcony and stage electronics made up of lights on two battens. The border lights hang at the rear and illuminate the scrim. New gels are purchased to cover the lamps to add color.
Sound for the productions include live and recorded material. Mobile speakers are located at the front of the auditorium. New pedistles for the speakers were built recently. Additional microphones were the newest purchase.