We’re starting the year in Bloomington-Normal at Illinois State University’s Braden Auditorium. Located in the Bone Student Center, this 3,457-capacity venue built in 1972 hosts a wide range of theatrical performances, concerts, variety and comedy shows.
Flyhouse was tapped to lead the fabrication and installation of much needed rigging renovations, while also providing equipment necessary to bring the more than 50-year-old space up to OSHA compliance—all part of broader plans to update the center’s facilities.
Much of the auditorium’s fire curtain system needed to be replaced due to age and wear, including the existing fire curtain which is made of asbestos. Our Flyhouse crew supported the local remediation team to safely hang the new 9,800-pound steel framed system while safely remove the asbestos. After abatement work was complete, we installed a new Thermotex covering over the 63-foot wide and 33-foot tall steel framed curtain, a new release and control system, and a new Flyhouse custom-built 1,000-pound-rated fire curtain hoist to update their previously out-of-balance system.
We are also replacing all 48 cast iron headblocks located on the 80-foot ceiling, and providing all new handlines for operating their linesets.
Other OSHA-compliance updates include adjusting the railings at the two loading galleries and front of house locations, and installing custom floor and well coverings for walking areas in the grid that are over 2” wide. Once complete, Flyhouse will work with the venue staff to provide training and a fall protection plan for the safe use of their facility.
Finally, Flyhouse is providing a series of new D8+ rated chain hoists to allow flexibility and easier rigging for Braden's front of house speaker systems.
Since the center is such an integral part of campus life, this project was limited to a brief 10-week timeline from mid-December through the end of February. The Bone Student Center's vigorous schedule will resume in March.