Before the New Year, Decatur ISD renovated the theater’s look by covering the pit.

• “As far as I know, Decatur ISD decided to build the cover,” Theater Arts teacher, Mallory Bryant-Gawne said.
• After the school board members decided upon the construction of the cover, renovation began.
• “Construction began after we came back from Thanksgiving break and it ended over Christmas break,” Bryant-Gawne said.
• The new cover now provides more space on the stage, a problem students dealt with before while performing.
• “We can now connect with the audience better,” Bryant-Gawne said. “We can also get closer to them.”
• Before covering the pit, there was no use for it.
• “We don’t have an orchestra so why have the pit. The band didn’t fit. It was also a safety hazard,” Bryant-Gawne said. “I’ve had a few accidents in my class.”
• The permanent covering now provides various assets that benefit both the band and theater students.
• “Every band student can fit on the stage now,” Director of bands, Eric McNiel said. “It makes a big difference.”
• The building of the cover also avoids unfortunate mishaps.
• “We’ll definitely have less accidents, like people falling off the stage,” Bryant-Gawne said.

Another benefit for the theater students is that they can perform closer to the audience.

“I love the amount of space that we have to work with now,” junior Samantha Sanders said. “I feel I can go closer towards the audience and it definitely enhances the performance.”

There’s no doubt that both the band and theater students will use it to their advantage.

“I’m excited to see how different it’ll be for the audience, as well as for the performers,” Sanders said.

One-Act Play performs their production Twelve Dreams by James Lapine, in the auditorium on Friday, March 20.