WEEKLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
In an effort to keep the public updated on the progress of completion of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, a weekly summary of activities expected to occur in the weeks to come is presented.  As always, questions can be forwarded to either Executive Director Chuck Still at (860) 510-5000 or Town Hall Restoration Building Committee Chairman Roland Laine at (860) 395-3127.

Week of March 19th  through March 26th, 2009
OK, we’re back again.  It’s been a number of weeks and we have a lot to show and tell you:

Interior Work.    The first floor level, which includes the offices of the Executive Director, the museum alcove, the Center’s bathrooms and a “hospitality” kitchen, has been sheet-rocked and trimmed out for the most part.  The south addition lobbies have been sheet-rocked as well.  The most spectacular change that has occurred is the installation of the grand window facing Main Street, which took a significant amount of time to fabricate.  With the balcony door, elevator and Main Street window installed, the upstairs lobby is beginning to have a finished look to it.

In the backstage workshop area, the spiral staircase connecting the first level to the stage level backstage area has been installed – it looks marvelous!  The backstage area has been sheet-rocked, as has been the dressing rooms.  The steelwork for the light trough has been constructed and includes the catwalk grate that will enable Center staff to access the stage lighting that will exist there.

Painting
The job of getting the interior painted has been a long road.  The Finishes Committee has just about selected all of the paint colors that will be used.  If one were to walk through the audience chamber, they’d see many, many patches of varying colors of white, beige, and now, blue paint.  The colors are being selected by viewing the colors on the walls of the interior.

Stage Rigging and Backstage
Stage rigging is almost 100% complete.  The lighting and scenery battens suspended above the stage and are tied off on the north side of the stage area.  The two doors leading from backstage to the workshop areas have been trimmed out and are ready for finishing.

Exterior Work.
Within two weeks or so, Larry Bonin and his public works gang will begin work on the grounds, getting the site in shape for springtime.  Discussion is occurring regarding the removal of the site fence for the sake of appearance.  If that occurs, the Town will safeguard the site in another manner.  With no frost in the ground, excavation for the concrete walkways and patio can begin any time and, with nighttime temperatures above 30 degrees, the concrete can be poured.  This work is expected to happen soon and be finished quickly.

Electrical Work
The electrical contractor continues to install cable and conduit in the building.  The “Supertech” lighting package will be installed shortly.  This equipment includes all of the dimmers and other controls for the stage lighting.  This equipment has been discussed, designed, planned and debated for so long that all involved know not to mention the word “Supertech” in front of First Selectman Michael A. Pace.

These are two views of the grand window being installed on the Main Street side of the new south addition. This entrance will be one of two entrances that will access the new elevator which will carry people to the stage level on the upper floor.  A large chandalier will hang in this window and will be seen from Main Street.  Walking past these doors to the right will bring one to the broad patio that will face the Town Green.

This view of the first level provides a taste of what the finish work will look like.  The view through the opening reveals the ground level lobby door which opens to the walkways and patio.  The stairway in the rear on the far right rises to the front lobby and the Patron’s Lounge.  One particular finish feature that’s been designed into the first floor level is the hip-level ledge on which the workmen have placed various pieces of equipment.  Although a nice finish touch, the ledge was actually necessary due to the configuration of the existing original wall over which the ledge sits.  If one were to walk to the right before entering the door in the right rear, they would enter the Katharine Hepburn museum alcove.

From the stage-left area of the stage (left) one can see the covered stage opening (proscenium arch) to the left, which keeps dust from work being performed in the audience chamber out of the stage area, and the rigging system servicing the Center.  The ropes are tied off at the wall in the stage-right area of the stage (right).  The winch is used to pull the ropes through the rigging system during their installation.  The black and blue bags hold the black curtains that will be hung throughout the stage area.  Behind the rear wall of the stage (right) is the new workshop addition, with its large door entrance partially visible to the right rear of this photograph.

The installation of this spiral staircase within the addition in the rear of the building was the creative solution to the problem of getting people – including performers and Center staff – from the first level to the stage level without going through the audience portion of the building. This stairway is how Executive Director Chuck Still will most often move from his first level offices to the second level dressing rooms and stage quickly, quietly and efficiently.  Without this staircase, backstage personnel would have to come up through the audience chamber and enter the backstage from there – in full view of patrons.

This view from the balcony of the Center shows the steel work for the light trough where lighting equipment aimed at the stage will be hung.  The ladder and a catwalk grate at the base of the trough will allow Center staff to work on equipment from the trough itself.

Even the front steps are undergoing renovation.  These steelworkers are installing the new railings for the historic entrance to the building.  These steps, the columns and their masonry supports are original to the 1911 building.  Although there are ADA-complient entrances to the south of the building on the green, the Town Hall Restoration Building Committee chose to insure that the historic entrance was also available for use.  The original ticket booth for the building, which was located inside the double doors on the left, will now be located within and adjacent to the lobbies in the new south addition on the Town Green.  The old ticket booth and coat room to its rear will be the location of a new Patron’s Lounge.

Text and photos by Torrance Downes, Trustee and Building Committee Member

WEEKLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
In an effort to keep the public updated on the progress of completion of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, a weekly summary of activities expected to occur in the weeks to come is presented.  As always, questions can be forwarded to either Executive Director Chuck Still at (860) 510-5000 or Town Hall Restoration Building Committee Chairman Roland Laine at (860) 395-3127.

Week of January 26th through February 1st, 2009
Due to the transition from exterior to interior work and the wait for the CL&P transformer and establishing the heat in the building, we’ve been a little less active with our construction reports.  Now that the heat is on, the interior work has started.  So, back to some photographs to update you on progress:
Transformer Installation/Furnace Operation.  Our last report indicated that the transformer had been installed and we were hoping for heat in the building as of Monday, January 19th.  We were able to keep that schedule, and the building is now heated!

Interior Work.    With the shifting from exterior to interior work, the interior report is the longest it’s ever been!  First, as a part of commencing the interior work, contractors have started to clean up much of the construction debris, or at least organizing it into a number of neater piles!  With the exception of some of the higher walls in the second story lobby of the south addition, all of the sheet-rocking is complete.  With the electricity and heat on, taping and finishing is to be commenced this week.  The elevator contractors are on-site and predict the elevator will be complete in about three, maybe four weeks (they estimate one week of work per floor plus a day or two extra for inevitable and unforeseen challenges, which should be minimal). All of the trim wood that will be used to building the stage front is currently being milled and will be brought into the building soon to acclimate to the building’s climate.  All of the Center’s doors were delivered to the site late last week.  As of Monday, January 26th, Executive Director Chuck Still was meeting with several painting contractors to discuss painting objectives so that bids could be submitted.  Meanwhile, the Finishes Committee continues to paint panels in order to agree on the interior color (see photo below).  Steel work on the inside has continued with the installation of the entry platform and stairs at the Center’s rear door and the “grand” staircase connecting the lower level of the south addition to its upper level (see photo below).  The contractor also expects to open up the connection from the audience chamber to the second level of the south addition this week (see photo below). And it is expected that Netsch Construction of Chester will be providing their schedule for completion this week, something that couldn’t be tied down with any certainty until the electricity and heat were brought to the building.

Now that we’re turning the corner and beginning the interior finish work, we’ll be showing the progess from the inside.  This is a photo of the south wall of the original “house” area of the theatre.  These windows provided natural light to the Office of the First Selectman and the Accounting Department when the building housed the Town Offices.  The original paladium window on the right with the red chair sitting underneath it will be the location of the doorway to the elevator lobby in the south addition on the Town Green.  Contractors will remove the wall underneath the window and insert a French door that will close during performances.  The foreground, of course, will be filled with the chairs of the auditorium space of the Center facing left to the stage.

Here are four members of the Center’s Finishing Committee.  From left, Barbara Welch, Selectman and Building Committee member Velma Thomas, Building Committee member Wilma Asch and Board of Trustee member Bob Wendler review paint swatches in the southwest corner of the Center’s balcony.  If you look at the wall behind the quartet, you’ll see areas of the Center’s original plaster wall and cornices that have been painted with the numerous paint color choices under investigation.  The blue tape labels each color.  Who knew there were so many different varieties of white and beige!?  The Finishes Committee is intent on selecting just the right combination of colors that will accent the Center and show it off as the gem that it is.  The window behind Bob at right faces Main Street while the window behind Barbara faces the Town Green.  The railing is original to the 1911 building and surrounds the stairway which connects the balcony to the original front lobby underneath.

When you come into the completed Center through the first floor lobby of the new south addition on the Town Green and stand in front of the elevator, to the right you will see a grand open staircase which connects the new lobby’s upper and lower levels.  As you can see in this photo, steel workers are in the process of installing the steel skeleton of this staircase.  This view also shows the original façade of the 1911 building to the left rear of the staircase.  The brick, formerly the exterior of the structure, will continue to be exposed as part of the décor of the lobby.  The door at far right opens into the offices of Executive Director Chuck Still.

Wanted to give a little credit where much credit is due.  This is Bob Czepiel; Old Saybrook resident, a member of the Center’s Board of Trustees and, with his wife Ann, an important benefactor of the project.  Bob, in his busy retirement, offered at his expense to completely document on video the transformation of old 1911 Town Hall to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.  Bob, an experienced videographer and documentarian, started his video work and photography during the time that the Town Hall Restoration Building Committee began their work to design the Center and has been on-site for every major event of the project – most of the minor events as well.  The video project will also benefit from the generous donation of the voice services of Edward Herrmann, professional actor, voice-over artist, film historian and Connecticut resident. Along with his many film, television and stage credits, Mr. Herrmann’s voice can be recognized as the voice of many notable History Channel documentaries.

The finished video on the story behind the building of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center will be available for purchase when complete, so keep your eye on our website for information.

When you run a private non-profit arts facility like “The Kate”, you learn to do much of your own work.  In this photo, KHCAC Executive Director Chuck Still is seen lashing down sixty chairs on the back of a pick-up truck, the first of two loads of chairs to be taken to the Center.  The chairs, donated by Steven Tagliatela, owner of the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa (www.saybrook.com) and KHCAC Board of Trustees member, will be used for events held at the Center.  One such style of performance will be cabaret-style evenings where the “formal” chairs are removed from the audience chamber and replaced with small tables and these stackable chairs.   When open, the Center will host performances of plays, cabarets, musical events, films, lectures, dance recitals and other entertaining fare.  Being designed as a “multi-purpose” facility, you’ll see just about any kind entertainment that can fit in “The Kate”.  And Chuck is the man who’ll bring that entertainment to you!  Along with schlepping chairs…..

Text and photos by Torrance Downes, Assistant Chair Schlepper, Owner of Chair-Schlepping Truck, Trustee, and Building Committee Member

WEEKLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
In an effort to keep the public updated on the progress of completion of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, a weekly summary of activities expected to occur in the weeks to come is presented.  As always, questions can be forwarded to either Executive Director Chuck Still at (860) 510-5000 or Town Hall Restoration Building Committee Chairman Roland Laine at (860) 395-3127.

Week of January 12th through January 19th, 2009
Happy New Year to everyone!  This is the year of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center!  Over the holidays, contractors were able to get some work done, but we’re still in a holding pattern – but not for long!  Unfortunately, fewer photographs are included in this report in that, although work continues to get accomplished, some of the smaller details being completed are not as visible as work conducted on the larger features of the Center:

Transformer Installation.  The major obstacle to most of the remaining interior work and to a realistic estimate of a completion date from Netsch Construction is the installation of the transformer and the commencement of heating inside the building.  As of Tuesday, January 13th, the transformer is on-site and CL&P workers were continuing the week-long process of transformer installation (see photo).  With good weather, the installation should be completed by the end of the week (ice storms create situations where CL&P personnel are called away to other areas in the northeast to repair infrastructure).  With the fine tuning of the furnace and heating system, heat may be on in the building by the middle of the week of January 19th.  Then the interior work begins in earnest!

Interior Work.   Much of the hanging of sheet rock within the interior has been completed over the holiday period, including the walls leading to the vaulted ceiling in the new south addition second floor lobby.  Once the heat is turned on, the taping and plastering of those walls will commence.  At the same time, the contractors can begin bringing the finish wood trim materials to the site prior to its cutting and installation.  If those wood materials are brought into an unheated environment and installed, the dryer environment of the heated building would cause the shrinking and separation of mitered and cut joints, a situation we do not want to experience, hence the wait.  Again, we try to be patient!

Site Work.    Given that the cold has set in, the site excavation and concrete work will likely wait until spring, which does not create schedule hardships in any way.  It would have just been nice to have that item checked off the list.  We’re told that, with a mid-winter warm-up, there is still an outside possibility of having this work done prior to spring.

CL&P and the Transformer Installation
Finally!  This photo was taken Tuesday morning, January 13th and that dark green box on the back of the CL&P truck is what we’ve been waiting for – the Center’s electircal transformer. The transformer is necessary in order to “step down” the power delivered through the CL&P grid to levels that can be used inside the Center.  The cables extending from the hole to the right are those that were pulled from the building to the transformer location via underground conduit pipes several weeks ago.  We’re getting closer folks!  By the way, don’t be surprised if later this week you see one more picture of the transformer actually sitting on its concrete pad!

Although it may not be evident from this rather simple photograph, much deliberation has gone into the finish of the interior of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.  The “finishes” committee, as they’re called, have spent literally HOURS deciding on issues from the choice of chairs, carpeting, curtains, shades and interior paint.  In this photo, what is seen are several wall panels painted with different beige and tan finish colors, each labeled with the blue tape.  The purpose of this exercise is to see the effects of the lighting in the facility on the different paint colors.  For the purpose of orientation, the south addition on the Town Green is located opposite this wall with the cinder block elevator core seen through the center (right) window.

This photograph shows the rough sheet-rocking of a small portion of what will eventually be the Katharine Hepburn Museum Alcove on the Center’s first floor level where artificacts and memoribilia of Kate’s will be displayed.  Although its hard to tell when under construction, this feature of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is one of the most highly anticipated sections of “The Kate”.

This photograph, taken in what will be the Patron’s Lounge on the stage level at the rear of the house (the former coat room in the original building), gives a small indication of how a century old building is retrofitted to allow for the operation of a modern cultural arts center.  In many places throughout the Center, original walls have been opened up in order to run electrical conduit, fire suppression piping, plumbing, sound system conduits and the like from the first level of the building below to the performance space as well as the attic above.  Due to Building and Fire Code requirements, finding ways to bring these conduits from first level electrical panels, water sources and waste lines through original walls is a huge challenge.  Such challenges include how to run substantially-sized piping through thin walls while at the same time hiding the work and meeting the code requirements.

Photos and text by Torrance Downes, Trustee and Building Committee Member

WEEKLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
In an effort to keep the public updated on the progress of completion of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, a weekly summary of activities expected to occur in the weeks to come is presented.  As always, questions can be forwarded to either Executive Director Chuck Still at (860) 510-5000 or Town Hall Restoration Building Committee Chairman Roland Laine at (860) 395-3127.

Week of December 22th through December 26th, 2008
The next two weeks are holiday weeks for many of us, including most of the contractors and suppliers working on the Center.  As a result, work will be getting done during the next two weeks prior the beginning of January, but it’ll slow somewhat due to those holidays.  We’ll outline the work that anticipated to be conducted during the next few weeks because we won’t likely be updating construction until the beginning of January:

Transformer Installation.  We’ve been indicating for several weeks now that we’re awaiting the power company to install the exterior transformer that will allow the Center’s heating system to be run.  What we’re finding out is that CL&P unfortunately doesn’t keep somewhat unique equipment in stock, like the transformer we’ve ordered.  So having the transformer made-to-order is what they’re waiting for.  This all translates to their communication that the installation will take place the first week in January.  Given the slower pace of work during these two holiday weeks, the wait at this point won’t likely create significant problems.  It’s frustrating to many, but this is how construction works.  While waiting for one issue to resolve, we do our best to get other activities accomplished in the meantime.

Interior Work.  At this point, much of the interior work is on hold until the furnace is up and running.  Although propane heaters are in use in the building, the uneven and rather limited nature of those heat sources makes much of the finish work impractical.  For instance, the taping and plastering of sheetrock can’t be accomplished until the heat is consistent throughout the building.  As for any of the finish carpentry, if the wood is brought into the building and installed prior to heating the building, there will be issues of the wood shrinking as it dries out, opening cracks where the pieces have been mitered together. So, that work has to wait as well.  What can be accomplished, however, is that the sheetrock can be installed, but the taping and plastering will have to wait until January when the heat is up and running.  This is an example of getting what you CAN get done, done.

Site Work.   Public Works Director Larry Bonin indicated that he and his crew will be working to get the site excavation done in the next few weeks, including concrete if warm enough.  Like the contractors, it’s likely that the Town Crew will be less able to work at the amazing pace that they have due to the holidays.  The main concern is, and continues to be, getting excavation work done before the ground freezes.  If we get a cold snap and that happens, we wait until Spring.  Even if that happens, it won’t be an issue that will delay opening of the Center.  We’d just like to get as many issues taken care of sooner than later.

GHOSTS in THE KATE!!!!  Not in the way you may be thinking though, at least not that we’re aware. We previously showed you the striking “paint ghost” of the “stage right” access stairway that brought actors from the lower level dressing rooms to the “stage right” wing in the early days of the Center (photo at left). We also told you about the “stage left” stairway that was located in the former Town Clerk’s office in the opposite corner of the building (photo at right).  For completeness sake, we wanted to show you the location of BOTH of the stairway “paint ghosts” next to each other.  The ghost in the right photo is seen within a room framed adjacent to the office-to-be of Executive Director Chuck Still. That stairway existed up until three years ago and was hidden from view within the back of the former Town Clerk’s Office.

This photo is taken from the “stage right” wing area of the stage where actors would be out of the view of the audience. To the right is the original 1911 proscenium arch framing the stage and the first of the four original palladium windows located within the house.  On the brick wall at “stage left” (the far wall) is the new raised catwalk within the “stage left” wing that is used for access to rigging above the stage.  On that same wall at lower left is the stage-level doorway connecting the stage to the dressing rooms and, left of that on the back wall (at left through the scaffolding), the access door to the workshop addition behind the stage. Above you can see the steel girders that will support the five light rails, or battens, which will be the home of the stage lighting and other equipment.

This view of the Center from the second story of the new Town Hall shows the mats placed over the new septic system gallery installation (left, see photo from November 21st Construction Update) and the muddy area within the construction fencing that has just been cleared in preparation for the exterior site work to be performed by the Town Crew.  The muddy corner just beyond the flag pole will be lush green lawn while, next to the Center’s columned south addition, the site will be finished with a large arcuate patio that will include benches and table and chairs.  The area bordering the patio and facing the Town Green will be landscaped with blossoming flowers and shrubbery.  The Town Green is located at left.

These photos show two views of one of the original 1911 electrical control boxes, built into the wall between the “stage left” proscenium arch (right) and the “stage left” performance box door (left).  These copper “knife” switches, disconnected for years, controlled house lighting as well as lighting in other parts of the original building, including the stage area. As seen in the closer photo at right, some of the individual switches were labeled with either chalk or white grease pencil to indicate which lights they operated.  In the house area beyond this wall at left can be seen the balcony and the framing of the lighting and sound booth located in the balcony.

In that we look forward to educational programming at The Kate, we thought we’d show you this photo, taken between 1904 and 1908, of past students in Old Saybrook.  It was taken in the old wooden school formerly located where the new Town Hall presently sits (see December 5th Construction Update photo) at a time just prior to completion of our 1911 building.  One could assume, perhaps, that these children more than likely attended events during the opening years of the original hall. In that these children appear to be around 12 years old or so, today they would be about 110 years of age.  If anyone knows who any of these “smiling” faces are, let us know!  The photo was donated to the Town by resident John Solari.

This photo shows the view from the “stage right” wing through the “stage right” door opening in the wall framing the front of the stage. The proscenium arch opening for the stage would be located just out of frame to the left of this view. Through this door, performers would access the “stage right” (on the right from the actor’s viewpoint) downstage playing area seen in a photo from October 24th Construction Update.  Seen through the doorway at the back of the theatre is the house-level door opening to the new Patron’s Lounge, the balcony and the framing for the lighting and sound booth at top.  Two of the four original palladium windows located on the north side of the house can just be seen to the right in this view.  The cylindrical piece of equipment in the doorway appears to be a piece of the Center’s ventilation system, apparently placed there so as to discourage someone from passing through the doorway and falling to the floor below.  Well, that’s as good a guess as any!

Text and photos by Torrance Downes, Trustee and Building Committee Member

WEEKLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
In an effort to keep the public updated on the progress of completion of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, a weekly summary of activities expected to occur in the weeks to come is presented.  As always, questions can be forwarded to either Executive Director Chuck Still at (860) 510-5000 or Town Hall Restoration Building Committee Chairman Roland Laine at (860) 395-3127.

Week of December 15th through December 19th, 2008
Well, we’re having to get a little more creative with our photo reporting due to the fact that we’re at the end of the exterior work and waiting to begin the interior finishing.  But, we’ve found some interesting tidbits for you nonetheless:

Septic System.   The septic system installation has been completed, and in an amazingly short period of time given its complexity and the heroic work of Public Works Director Larry Bonin, his crew, and local contractor Mike Evangelisti.
 
Electrical Work.    Although having been requested several weeks ago, we’re still waiting for Connecticut Light & Power to install and hook up the Center’s exterior electrical transformer.  Until that’s done, the new gas-fired furnace can’t be run to heat the interior to a temperature that will allow much of the finish work to move forward.  All involved were instructed to call anyone they may know to urge CL&P to come to the site sooner than later.  Completion of this electrical connection is now the major challenge to overcome.  We patiently await CL&P.
 
Columns.    We’ve focused a lot on these exterior columns as they are a prominent finishing feature of the Center.  Although we were told that the four lower columns couldn’t be installed until the site work and patio concrete were completed, Public Director Bonin worked out being able to pour concrete after the installation of the columns.  As Bonin commented, “we’re easy to work with”.  All involved in the project sincerely appreciate how easy and helpful it’s been to have the help of the Town crew and how willing Netsch Construction was to allow them to assist in construction in order to keep costs of the project down as much as possible!

Site Work.  Director Bonin has indicated that his priority for the week of December 15th is the excavation, filling and – depending upon temperature – pouring the concrete for the walks and patio at the Center.  Even if it’s a little chilly, a few electric blankets and tarps will likely provide enough insulating warmth to allow the work to proceed.

Interior Work.  As stated above, until the furnace is connected and operating, commencement of much of the interior finish work can’t proceed.  Without the heat, sheet rock can be installed throughout the downstairs but taping and plastering will have to wait for CL&P to install the transformer.  Final plumbing for the HVAC (heating and cooling) system is being completed as is the piping for the fire sprinkler system.  Executive Director Chuck Still has been working with our sound designer to finalize details for the Center’s sound system.  We’re getting closer and closer, folks! 

 

We know we’re getting close to completion when we receive delivery of these concrete patio and walkway embellishments.  These various concrete corner and edge pieces will dress the exterior “flatwork” of which we’ve been speaking.  The level of detail involved in the planning of the exterior concrete work includes the consideration of just what color the patio and walkway concrete will be.  In the case of the Center, the color of the poured concrete has been specified to match the gray concrete architectural embellishment pieces around the exterior of building.  It was noted, however, that the concrete will not be matched to the somewhat buff color of the lower level concrete walls so as to coordinate with original architectural features in the 1911 National Historic Register structure.

 

 

 

 

As noted above, we’ve been able to work out installing all six of the new columns on the south addition of the Center before pouring the concrete for the patio, and just in time for last week’s Saybrook Stroll and this weekend’s Torchlight Parade!  The photo at far left shows the level that the concrete patio will be brought to in order to have the columns sit atop the concrete.  At the core of these columns are steel supports that carry the weight of the balcony.  So, unlike the six original columns on the front portico, these new columns are architectural features and not weight-bearing support structures.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This view of the backstage area shows the structural steel that has just been installed to support rigging used for the suspension of lighting and sound equipment above the stage.   For the pupose of orientation, you’ll recall that the proscenium arch – the structural opening that “frames” the stage – is located at left with the “stage right” wing area shown at the far side of the stage by the blackened windows. Those north side windows, previously allowing natural light to flood into the old Room 5 meeting room area now occupied by the stage, have been blackened to allow for control of the lighting within the stage area.

Sixteen battenswill be hung from the maroon steel pieces seen criss-crossing immediately underneath the HVAC ductwork parallel to the proscenium arch.  Again, installation of these type of structural features means that we’re moving more and more toward completion of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center!

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the “house left” side of the balcony (the left side as the audience looks at the stage), this view shows the framing for the booth that will be the control center for lighting and sound operations at the Center.   The stairway access original to the 1911 building rises to the balcony level from the area behind the plywood sheets in the left foreground.  There will be a total of 40 permanent seats in the balcony, a number that was limited by both placement of the control booth and by the State Fire Code.  One thing to note is that, in order to provide sufficient “leg room” for seating in the balcony, the front wall of the booth (with the two windows facing the stage) was moved to the left by approximately 10 inches to provide extra clearance and leg room.  The KHCAC Board of Directors is intent on providing only the most optimum conditions for those that will be seeing programming at “The Kate”!  For orientation purposes, Main Street is located to the left in this photo with the “house” seating area and stage located to the right.

 

 

In roaming through the Center to find interesting photos to bring you as a part of the weekly Construction Update, this scene presented itself.  Due to the low-light conditions of late afternoon on a cloudy day and the rich illumination of the brick back wall of the stage area, this view struck the photographer as one of the first looks at what the stage may look like when the Center opens in coming months.  Just imagine this veiw absent all of the construction rigging and debris, with beautiful curtains in the pallisade windows, richly appointed woodwork, and a house full of excited patrons.  The luxurious stage curtain draws open, revealing a beautiful setting for a play, a concert, a lecture or any number of other forms of entertainment planned for the Center by Executive Director Chuck Still.  With a great and dramatic downbeat, the inaugural season of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center begins!

 

Back to the exterior, the Town crew places the rough base coat of the Center’s parking lot atop the area where the septic system was installed last week.  Step by step, the outside of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is taking shape.  With the installation of the patios and walkways in the next week or two, the Center’s exterior will be just about “roughed in”.  Again, we can’t begin to tell you how exciting it is to all involved in the project to see these project tasks being completed!  We’re close!  We’re VERY close!!!

 

Photos and words by Torrance Downes