Mary Moody Northen Theatre will unveil new renovations that have been under way since late May. Since it was built in 1973, no major remodeling has been done to the theatre.

Leaving nothing but the studs, the university began large-scale renovations over the summer. The theater now boasts brand new floors, seating, carpet, running and step lights, updated wiring, and a new paint job.  The vomitoria (voms), or stage entrances, have completely been redone and widened.

“The theater was gutted and rebuilt from the ground up,” Joe Carpenter, the theater’s technical director, said.

Private contractors did most of the renovations. Carpenter and his students aided in the final electrical details and finishing work, like hanging dry wall and installing moldings, which helped save the university money.

David Long, MMNT’s artistic director, served as project manager while the theater was under construction. Long said the upgrades were paid for by “funds allocated from St. Edward’s for capital improvements in order to ensure the safety of patrons.”

Long sent the proposal to university Executive Vice President and Provost Sister Donna Jurick. Once the project was approved, Financial Affairs Director Rhonda Cartwright allocated the funds. Michael Peterson, director of Physical Plant, managed the budget and worked closely with Long. Peterson was also in charge of interviewing and hiring the private contractors.

Safety concerns were a major part of the renovations due to liability issues. Long said that getting the safety elements up to code were far overdue. Long declined to state the expenses of the revamping.

In addition, the original standard deck floor has been removed and updated to spring floors.

“This floor…provides some cushion for the actors and is less strenuous on the body’s joints,” Long said.

Jordan Cooper, a sophomore theater major, thinks the renovations were necessary.

“The seats were the number one priority, in my opinion. I know people would sit in the seats and they could feel every loose or broken spring,” Cooper said. “Some of them wouldn’t close or prop back up.”

Cooper also said that the repairs to the stage entrance and new lights in the isles will make the theater safer.

“During intermission it will be a lot easier to see where you’re going, especially in case of emergencies,” Cooper said.

The first show to premiere in the updated theater is Molière’s “The Imaginary Invalid,” directed by Long. The show runs from Sept. 16-26.