Proving nature’s law is wrong, it learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.
– Tupac Shakur
I’m excited to share a major update about our construction project. We are extremely fortunate. COVID-19 and shelter-in-place orders aside, everything is progressing remarkably well. Overaa Construction moved into the theater in late February and started work. By early March, they had completed most of their prep work. Unfortunately, on March 19, out of an abundance of caution, construction was halted. We were devastated. As the situation progressed, we found it necessary to clear our calendar of any productions or events. We even made the difficult decision to cancel our grand re-opening production, Gypsy, scheduled for October. As May began, we really didn’t know when construction would resume, let alone when the project would be finished. Thankfully, construction resumed on May 11. Today, we reached a major benchmark!
On paper, our construction project, even though five years in the making and with a price tag of more than $550,000, is quite simple. The project has three major benchmarks:
- Pouring concrete
- Installing the new beam
- Remodeling the bathrooms and lobby
Today, we poured concrete! We poured it in the front sidewalk, a final sign that we had successfully identified and repaired a pesky and frustrating water leak. We poured it underneath the lobby, final preparation for the relocation of the infamous post from the middle of the seating area to a new home buried in the lobby wall. And finally, we poured it directly under the stage, the final preparation for new support posts across which the new beam will sit.
Pour Concrete? Check!
Next week, we will be finishing up all of the abatement work needed to prepare the bathrooms, lobby, and existing beam for the next stages of work. We are on track to receive and install the new beam in July and to finish the bathrooms and lobby in August. COVID-19 has been a swift and painful kick in the teeth to everyone. It has certainly been that for us too. I find hope, however, in the resiliency of Masquers. We are the little playhouse that could. Construction is on track. And, trust me, we will be back. Soon!