Show Grand Theatre to go Grandeur Greg Black Staff Writer THE Grand Theatre at will under go a major facelift this summer in hopes of making the year old str structure more comfortable comfortable comfortable com com- and theater like Plans call for three phases of construction The first will re replace replace replace re- re place all seating on the main level with newer more roomy chairs The current seats were made for high school ninnies said Peter Maughan director of development development development devel devel- referring to the South High students of the past They are worn and narrow and there is not enough leg room Maughan also noted cold air vents in the floor and rises and crack in the concrete as reasons for the remodel Phase II involves work on the stage and more specifically the installation of new This is the system of cables pulleys and poles which allow for the erection of heavy scenery items and other high up essentials Weve been on scissors lifts and ladders said Pat Davis Grand Theatre director We re really really really re- re ally need good sound The last phase wi will provide for dowered H orchestra fi W well as' as asa pit as as asa asa a new paint job While pointing out that an orchestra pit is critical to good theater Davis also stressed the paint factor Youve got to have a dark color she said explaining that dark colors absorb more light for fora a better theater experience The changes slightly will reduce the seating capacity of the Grand Gordon Storrs master planning coordinator said that in addition to providing more room for patrons the reduction will save money because because be be- cause the owners of the copyrights to to many of the productions at the Grand base their fee on theater ca ca- ca- ca The Grand Theatre operates as asan an independent community theater theater theater the the- ater and is therefore not eligible for state money has agreed to lend the Grand Theatre about so that construction can get under way Th The quick start is necessary so that as much of the project as possible can be completed completed completed com com- during the Theatres Theatre's off off- season which is summerAll summer All three phases will ill cost about a according cording to Maughan and Grand Theatre officials officials officials of of- will launch a a raising fund-raising drive within the next couple of weeks Donors will be offered the opportunity to sponsor a seat for The The donation will result in ina ina ina a plaque bearing g the donors donor's name on each seat sponsored and will include a season ticket According to Davis the Grand Theatre plans on advertising in local papers as well as a letter campaign to season ticket holders holders holders hold hold- ers alumni and South High School alumni many of whom still hold a great fondness for the Theatre The Grand will pay back once these funds are secured The Grand is recognized in inthe inthe inthe the community as an exemplary theater To date the Theatre has logged in paid attendance attendance attendance atten atten- dance with one production left leftin leftin leftin in the season not including premiers premiers premiers pre pre- miers and production parties I dont don't think they'll have a problem raising the money Storrs said r y 4 Y T 1 n I l' l i 2 i L f f J Horizon photo Ed U lie Lla Next years year's Student Senate will include new members Mark Brower Joey Bonino Robert Butterfield Maxine Robinson Joel Jones and Randy Gubler Their term will begin fall quarter |