TCA begins dressing room, equipment updates

Ceiling and floor tiles in the Tecumseh Center for the Arts’ dressing rooms were removed as renovations of the rooms began.

By DAVID PANIAN

davidp@tecumsehherald.com

TECUMSEH — Work began this week to update the Tecumseh Center for the Arts’ dressing rooms and stage equipment.

Last year’s successful $50K Challenge fundraising campaign helped the TCA move forward with the renovations of the dressing rooms and the replacement of some of the stage systems, a news release said. The campaign brought together area foundations, civic organizations and individual donors who share a belief in the power of the arts to enrich the community.

“These renovations are a direct reflection of our community’s belief in this theater,” TCA Executive Director Amy Slupe said in the release. “The response to the $50K Challenge was inspiring. Our friends and neighbors showed us just how deeply they value having a vibrant performing arts venue right here in Tecumseh.”

Renovations to the dressing rooms began Monday. They are expected to be done by April 6, in time for the TCA’s next show, a concert by singer/songwriter Lola Kristine on April 11.

The first step was to remove the old bathroom fixtures, ceiling panels and the flooring tiles. The beige, speckled tiles were original to when the TCA opened in 1981. Performers also will find new makeup counters when they return to the renovated dressing rooms.

There will be a new color scheme in black, gray and white, Slupe said, but the overall look will be in keeping with how buildings looked when the TCA opened. She said the goal was to give it a “timeless” look rather than choosing something contemporary that might look dated in a few years.

“We want to make sure that it actually still stays true to the era,” Slupe said in an interview. “Because if you lean into what the building is, then it has a longevity to it.”

One difference in the dressing rooms will be that the beige, 45-year-old floor tiles will be replaced with black tiles, Slupe said.

One aspect of the renovations is an acknowledgement of who is using the dressing rooms. Slupe said the majority of performers who use the dressing rooms, particularly the local dance companies, are girls. One of the dressing rooms had a urinal that largely went unused, so it has been removed and will be replaced with an additional toilet.

“It’s a big job. It’s a complete replumb on that, but it’s going to be such a big win for us,” Slupe said.

The dressing room renovations are being done a year ahead of schedule thanks to the success of the fundraising for the stage equipment, which exceeded the expected cost of that project, Slupe said. That allowed the city to move up the dressing room project in its capital improvements plan.

“The community support was incredible,” she said. “We were so grateful.”

The contracts for the work were awarded by the Tecumseh City Council at its meeting March 2. Commercial Flooring of Toledo received the flooring contract for $6,356; Adrian Mechanical Services will do the plumbing for $11,490; Deere Electric of Tecumseh will do the electrical work for $8,550; Rivereast Custom Cabinets of Toledo received the cabinetry contract for $20,874.17, Lenco Painting of Adrian was awarded the painting contract for $7,300, and Krieghoff-Lenawee Inc. was awarded the general trades contract for $25,940. The council also approved a 5% contingency in the amount of $4,025.51, giving the total project a cost of up to $84,535.68. The winning bids were either the lowest or the only bids.

Next up will be replacing stage rigging and curtains. That work is scheduled for April 13-20 and will include:

• Improvements to the theater’s stage rigging to bring the system up to current workplace safety standards.

• Relocating the theater’s projection screen upstage to free a previously blocked batten, opening new scenic design opportunities.

• Installation of new stage curtains to replace the current drapery, which is no longer fire retardant and has areas of significant wear.

Fantasee Integration of Detroit was awarded the contract for the work for up to $120,210.

Along with local donors, financial support came from the Stubnitz Foundation, the Lenawee Community Foundation and the Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh.

“Beyond the incredible leadership from our local foundations and service organizations, what moved us most was the number of individuals who chose to give,” Slupe said in the release. “The outpouring of love from our friends and neighbors meant the world to us. It tells us clearly that the Tecumseh Center for the Arts matters — that it remains a place where our community gathers, celebrates creativity, and shares meaningful experiences together.”