By Susan Tallant/editor-in-chief

From Shakespeare to Shepard, Medea to Godspell, NE drama students are exposed to the best of productions.

This semester, with the Playhouse getting a make over, they will experience “lights, camera … action” in a newly renovated state-of-the-art theater, giving much needed exposure to modern theater equipment as well.

The first phase of renovation is almost complete. Phases two and three are coming soon.

PHASE ONE

Updated lighting, a plasma display screen in the lobby, a top-of-the-line sound system, new seating and a new control booth are a few of the attractions this semester.

“ We are really excited about the intelligent lighting … which means it is really cool,” Stephen Thomas, associate professor of drama, said.

Thomas said the new system has all remote control color change and focus change. “ It looks like R2D2,” he said.

The old system has been a safety hazard for some time, Thomas said.

“ We had to have students climb up a big ladder just to change lights,” he said. Now we just press a button.”

Thomas said the new theater is more cozy and intimate, provides better classroom usage and will allow for better production quality.

Also, with an updated projector, students can see the stage from backstage.

George Rodriguez, instructional associate, said students no longer have to share wireless microphones.

“ Now we have 16, enough for an entire cast to have their own. We used to have eight, but only six of them worked,” he said.

Rodriguez is also glad to have new wireless headsets for the hearing impaired.

“ It’s a nice system because they don’t get all of the interference the old ones did,” he said.

Lisa Benedetti, communication arts chair, said renovation will make the theater more handicap accessible.

“ Our theater was hugely out of date,” she said. “We are working to have a lift installed that will give handicap individuals access to the musical pit, stage floor and theater floor.”

Thomas said both students and faculty are excited about the renovation. Below he gives a breakdown of what is to come:

PHASE TWO

The second phase of renovation, which could begin in late fall, will include a newly organized scene shop that is handicap accessible, a remodeled dressing room and handicap access to the stage.

PHASE THREE

The final phase, beginning around summer, will extend the lobby, add a ticket booth and new concession booth.