sually is blocked from viewing the event as it unfolds, a clever and unique device provides an ongoing read-out of the process (fig. 6). Found opposite of the main control mechanism is a weighted chain connected to a girder, along with start and stop lines marked prominently in bold on a wooden stud, which in conjunction indicates the progress of the desired floor movement. As required, two sets of entrance doors are present in the auditorium with the prominent central doors being of no use while the floor is in the raised position (fig. 9). The original wrought-iron-and-wood opera house chairs-held in place by a unique brass "T" floor connector (fig. 10)-are ganged in groups of three or four for ease of removal and storage. While at one time designated rooms housed the seats when not in use, currently the bulk of the seats when removed go to the stage and backstage areas to be covered by a mid-stage black curtain and only a limited number are placed in a storage area under the stage largely taken over by HVAC equipment installed during restoration. Experience dictates that the chairs remain in place as the floor lowers because the additional weight is needed for the system to work efficiently. Seemingly every success story has at least one miraculous escape and the Rochester facility is no different. City officials scheduled alterations in 1940 to include transforming the auditorium area into two levels of needed office space. This plan required the removal of all of the equipment for the raising and lowering of the floor and also having the floor remain permanently supported in the horizontal position. Due to a lack of funds these changes were not carried out and only a new central stairway was constructed following side stairwells being removed for new offices. With additional modifications over the years the house count has been reduced to the present day level of 850 seats. Fortunately the floor mechanism survived Figure 8. Throwing main switch to start position. Figure 9. Entrance doors for lowered floor position. Figure 10. Detail of brass "T" floor connector. 18 THEATRE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY F A L L 2006