As we get to the half-way point of our dog-days August, here are some new photos from inside the (even warmer) construction site. Happily, this fellow from CenterPoint visited us recently:

...and brought our long-awaited permanent power to the building. The happy result is that, just this afternoon, the air conditioning has been turned on for the first time! This is important, of course, for comfort, but also for the general health of all the new Sheetrock and wood in the building. As Chris, our superintendent, explains it, the interior of the building must cool down a bit and relax before all the mill work can be installed.

Also in preparation for the mill work and tile, much of the interior has been painted this week, which is quite lovely to see!

(above, the soon-to-be-built backstage coffee bar gets gray; below, looking east in the Main Lobby)

(below, looking southeast in the Main Lobby, you can see the fresh Sheetrock, exposed brick and the painted open ceiling. Main Street old-timers will remember the administrative office used to sit in this corner of the building.)

(below, the Stage Support Office on the second floor, ready for paint)

(below, the West Lobby looking north)

Most excitingly, the auditorium (below) has now been painted black (which makes successful photography a challenge!), and the pipe grid and pipe rail (around the perimeter of the room) have been installed! These are the key components that will bring a new level of sophistication to MST's lighting and sound. Our designers will be able to suspend lighting instruments, projectors and speakers wherever they want!

In other news, the telephone lines have been installed, the roof is being prepared for the installation of the solar array, the hearing induction loop is being laid on the auditorium subfloor, and lay-in ceilings are being installed in the Patron Restrooms. Things are moving fast!

Next week: tile work for the restrooms and the new floor for the auditorium!