CENTRAL PLAY OFFERS LOOK AT REMODELED AUDITORIUM

Central High School student Meg Davis paused Thursday from her work preparing for the school's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" to show off the new look of the auditorium where the play will be presented this weekend.

"It looks great," she said, sweeping her arms around the room, "With all this, it makes us feel like we're professionals."

Davis, who is head of costuming and plays a corpse in the play, said the only drawback has been that students had to use more care while painting the sets. "We're a little more protective of everything now," she said. "People should come see the show and see the auditorium."

Performances begin at 7:30 tonight and Saturday. Tickets are available at the door.

Renovations of the 40-year-old auditorium that began during the summer are complete, except for window curtains that have haven't arrived yet.

Central's auditorium was built in 1955 and was refurbished in 1974 with new curtains and lighting. A seat replacement began in 1977, but ended abruptly after 300 plastic, yellow seats were installed. In 1983, a control room and a new sound system were installed.

But a leaky ceiling and years of use took a toll on the facility. It was showing its age four years ago when teacher Steve Lukens started a fund-raising campaign to refurbish the auditorium seating. The chairs were mismatched: About a third were plastic and the others were green and in need of repair.

About $20,000 has been raised through fund-raising. In addition, the Board of Education chipped in proceeds from the sale of Campster School. The school district picked up the rest of the tab, which totalled about $110,000.

For that price, the school got refurbished theater seats upholstered in burgundy, carpeting, new lighting, new custom-made stage curtains, new paint and, students say, a new attitude.

"It's great," said Sarah Adams, who plays one of the leading roles in "Arsenic and Old Lace." "No other place in Southeast Missouri has an auditorium like this."

"It was our first year when this all started. Now we have seen what can be done," Adams said.

She said people can still contribute to the fund-raising campaign. For a $100 donation, an engraved plaque will be installed on one of the newly finished chairs.

During its 40-year history, the auditorium has housed artistic productions, community events and school events including Miss Teen pageants, church services and memorial programs. Performers at the facility have included Buddy Rich, Manard Ferguson, and the Goeffrey Ballet.

It has also housed annual theatrical performances by Central High students.

Lukens, who spent much of the summer working in the auditorium, looked around the room and said, "We've come a long way. I think we have a facility that will take us into the 21st century."