“The Opera Center is transforming Opera Theatre in ways we can hardly imagine,” Charles MacKay says. “From the spectacular rehearsal spaces to the storage rooms downstairs, putting all of OTSL together brings an incredible infusion of energy to the company, and serves as a tangible symbol of the national stature of this company.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Levy family and others, and to the heroic dedication of developer and OTSL board member Steve Trampe, who shepherded the project day by day since the beginning, the company’s new home was completed in time for the 2006 season.

Steve Ryan, OTSL’s technical director, was another key player in the project.  “The outside of the building is just the beginning,” he says. “ When people get inside – when they see the scale and hear the sound of the big rehearsal spaces – we love to see the excitement on their faces.”

The two large rehearsal spaces are the stars of the project.   Acoustician Bill Johnson, whose company designed the Dallas Opera’s new home, has made them state-of-the-art, with sprung floors for dance and flexible panels to make them acoustically adaptable.  “Anyone accustomed to the 12-foot ceilings in Orchard or the 16-foot ceilings in the Congregational Church will be amazed at what happens to the sound with 22-foot ceilings,” Steve continues, “and it is incredible to be in the building for a rehearsal with full orchestra!

The Opera Center may be rented for rehearsals, conferences, and other community functions. For information call Richard Barger at 314-963-4235 or email 235@opera-stl.org