In case you noticed the equipment outside Hochstein the past couple of weeks – and the warning signs now outside the Performance Hall – here’s the scoop on what’s going on behind those closed doors.
After the Hochstein Youth Singers concert on June 23 and a weekend of graduation ceremonies in late June, the Performance Hall became a construction zone, hard hats required. The aisle lights were disconnected from all the seats, which were then removed and stored off site. The Hochstein pianos left the building for their summer vacation and workers started loading in and assembling the scaffolding.
The space looks so different without the seats! Removing the seats also revealed two trap doors in the floor on the first level, front center, which in the past would have given access to the space under the floor.
Once the scaffolding is up in the hall, workers will begin to repair the plaster and paint the ceilings and walls. All of the carpets will be removed and replaced, and they will repair and refinish all of the wood floors, including the stage floor.
During this time, only authorized personnel are allowed in the Performance Hall. Hazards include the potential for toxic air quality and falling objects, so no peeking allowed! We do not want anyone to risk injury by entering the space.
If all goes according to plan, the renovations will be complete and the hall will be clean and ready for inspection by mid-September. Special thanks to our contractor, DGA Builders, who are working diligently to have the work completed by September!
In the meantime, summer camps that normally have performances in the Performance Hall will take place in the Recital Hall and Dance Studio.
While we are waiting to be able to enter the Performance Hall again, stop by and check out the display case outside the main office showing pictures of the Performance Hall over the years along with some of the building’s history – or view the photos below. (Click on each image for a larger version.)
