Jason Denton shows where demolition work has started for new American with Disabilities Act-approved bathrooms at the Little Theatre on the Bay in North Bend. -World Photos by Lou Sennick

NORTHBEND — Anna Weidemiller has long been a part of the Bay Area’s theater community, starring in Little Theatre on the Bay productions of “Guys and Dolls” and “Anything Goes.”

But things changed when Weidemiller suffered a spinal cord injury in 2007. Her new reliance on a wheelchair has limited her theater participation. Getting up the half-dozen stairs to the theater’s stage is challenging.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Weidemiller said.

Little Theatre board members recognize the need for improved accessibility in the 84-year old building — for audience members as well as performers. They aim to address it as part of a $1.5 million renovation.

“Without an audience, there is no theater,” said Jason Denton, president of the theater’s board of directors.

One project is a unisex restroom on the first floor, he said. Current restrooms are on the second floor. Even some theater board members can’t climb the stairs because of age or joint problems.

“It’s three flights of stairs, 20 steps, to climb up just to get to there,” Denton said.

Along with an accessible restroom, the group plans to level a small area in the back of the theater for wheelchair seating. The original, sloping floor forces wheelchair users to lean forward, he said.

“What may be a little slope to some, it is like a mountain to someone in a wheelchair,” Weidemiller  said.

Before renovations, the theater had about 386 seats, said board member Jeff Cragun. So far, about 25 seats have been removed for the restroom and the wheelchair seating. Board members expect to lose 50 of the original seats during the construction, leaving about 350.

Denton estimated they will end up with room for about 30 wheelchairs.

Theater leaders hope the improvements will be ready for the Christmas Opry.

The restroom and the wheelchair area are expected to cost between $20,000 and $30,000. The total $1.5 million renovation includes expanding the building and installing an elevator.

Along with accessibility for audience members, the theater wants to make sure people with disabilities can participate in productions. Cragun said they have plans to build a portable ramp to the stage.

Even the backstage will be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Denton said. The “fly system” — ropes and pulleys for moving sets — will be upgraded to let a person with a disability or limited mobility join the stage crew.

 Weidemiller welcomes the improvements. She has been looking for ways to participate, including working backstage as a director. She plans to sing at the upcoming big band concert.

“I still want to be involved,” she said.

— Ginger Shepherd can be reached at 269-1222, ext. 242, or at gshepherd@theworldlink.com.