As renovation work on the Playhouse Theatre continues as part of the "Restore the Core" program, more signs of progress come each day.

"The project got under way officially August 15, but the work until recently has been inside and not very visible," said Sarah Nash Gates, the director of the UW's School of Drama. "They had to deal with some asbestos removal and were working on getting the walls seismically upgraded."

After removing asbestos from the building, construction crews are making the foundation and walls more structurally sound to withstand the effects of an earthquake.

"The boards will camouflage the seismic reinforcement and at the same time give us a unique background," Gates said. "And, of course, it's an opportunity to recycle materials."

The renovations, specifically the addition of a second level to the building, will improve accommodations for both the audience and the performers.

New bathrooms and a larger lobby will be added on the first floor, and the second floor will house the new dressing rooms. A catwalk will also be installed, which will add an array of artistic lighting options to future productions at the Playhouse.

As a result of the second story and higher roof, audience seats will be raked at a higher angle.

Another major addition to the Playhouse will be "vomitory" entrances. This will allow performers to be "vomited" on stage unseen by walking through passageways underneath the seating area. The term "vomitory," according to some sources, comes from the Shakespearean era, when the "groundlings," or theater-goers too poor to sit anywhere but on the ground, would eat and drink too much and end up vomiting on the floor.

Renovation within the Playhouse is due to wrap up by September 2008, and is scheduled to open in early 2009. The downtime will be occupied with a "commissioning" period in which inspectors will examine the building for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, and personnel will be instructed on the inner-workings and operation of equipment and utilities.

"We're going to have a much better theater when the construction is done," Gates said.

[Reach reporter Garrett Troy at news@thtedaily.washington.edu.]