Renovations begin Monday on Bush Theatre

• Tweet
• 

Students will get to see actors show their talents on a new stage in Bush Theatre this fall.

The theatre is being renovated over the summer with a new stage floor and electrical equipment.

“The floor is almost 30 years old, so it’s needed,” said Steve Berglund, Director of University Theatre and communication and dramatic arts professor. “The electrical equipment is pretty old too. The plan is to have the renovations done over the summer so that the theater will be ready to go by our first show in the second week of September.”

The renovations are estimated to cost $301,000 in total, said Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management.

“The floor is original and it’s showing it’s age,” he said. “The electrical wiring is original in need of replacement as well.”

The cost for the renovations are lower than originally planned. The original estimate in the fall was $475,000.

Renovations to Bush Theatre are scheduled to start Monday and to be completed by Aug. 17. The entire floor will be ripped out and completely replaced.

Berglund said the process initially started three years ago when Central Michigan University studied the floor and decided that it was in need of replacement. The renovations are financed by the university through deferred maintenance.

The Theater-on-the-Side, the smaller theater in Moore Hall, will also be renovated with new electrical equipment. The renovation is scheduled to start August 19 and should be completed by August 21.

Students at CMU see the renovations as a good sign.

“It’s definitely needed,” said Casey Sigg, a Grand Blanc sophomore and theater major. “I’m pretty excited about it since I plan on auditioning for a few plays next year.”

news@cm-life.com