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Ed Landreth Hall renovated By Kelly Marino The curtain is about to close on the recent renovation of Ed Landreth Hall. TCU officials said they hope the new curtains will be hung and the carpet will be laid by Friday. Larry Garrison, director of planning, said the university has upgraded the building to make it safer for students, faculty and members of the community who use the theater. “We have updated the stage, done some electrical work, renovated the catwalks, installed aisle lighting and put in lighted exit signs,” he said. Garrison said TCU decided to upgrade Ed Landreth Hall following the completion of the Walsh Center for Performing Arts. At that time, TCU and the Fort Worth Fire Department agreed Ed Landreth Hall would be renovated when the new building was finished. The cost to enhance Ed Landreth Hall will be about $500,000. The money will come from the university’s budget.
The improvements began after TCU hired PMK, a Dallas-based company specializing in acoustics and theater, to conduct a safety survey. “PMK made numerous suggestions about how we could improve Ed Landreth (Hall),” Garrison said. “Everything is safety related, not cosmetics.” Along with lighted emergency exits and other safety devices, Ed Landreth Hall will also be equipped with an audio box, designed to warn people when hazards occur. Additional fire extinguishers have been provided, and more exit lights will be added to help people identify exit doors. A heat-sensitive sprinkler system has also been added. Jaime Castaneda, a sophomore theater major, said he is pleased about the renovations, but was not concerned about his personal safety. “I have never felt unsafe,” Castaneda said. “I think it is good though that they are putting in more fire safety devices for precautionary measures.” Castaneda said the theater department will benefit from the new lighting system because the improved facilities will help the university compete with other theater departments in the state. Alex Robertson, TCU stage manager, said the renovation of Ed Landreth Hall is about more than just safety. “The ropes will be changed and the fly-system hardware will be upgraded,” he said. “The whole campus will benefit from these improvements.” Castaneda said students will also benefit from the new additions to Ed Landreth Hall. “Ed Landreth is a diverse auditorium because you can have music, dance and theater all performed there,” said Castaneda. “These improvements will help each department.” The Ed Landreth Hall Auditorium was first built in 1949, and this is the building’s first upgrade. Kelly Marino
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