The $18.5 million renovation and expansion of the Wharton Center on Michigan State University’s (MSU) campus is getting closer to completion, with the backstage addition on target for a March opening. This portion of the renovation includes new dressing 
rooms, an elevator and new restrooms.
The backstage addition is expected to be ready for action by March 16, which marks the opening of The Lion King.
“This will allow us to operate more efficiently, especially with the bigger touring groups,” says Diane Baribeau, general manager of the Wharton Center. “I think we could still attract them without the addition, but this gives them more dressing rooms and allows them to use a second theater.”
The Wharton Center renovation is an $18.5 million, three phase project. The backstage renovation and addition are expected to be complete by the end of the May.
The third and final phase, which is an internal remodel that includes larger green rooms, star dressing rooms, additional backstage amenities and more restrooms, should be complete by the end of the summer.
Source: Diane Baribeau, Wharton Center
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.