The Muny to Upgrade Audience Cooling System

Muny President and CEO, Dennis Reagan announced that The Muny is working on a two‐part project that will substantially enhance audience comfort by improving airflow during performances.

Plans, which call for significant upgrade to an existing blower system and the installation of new state‐of‐the‐art fans, will directly address the top audience request, to keep them comfortable.

According to a press release, The Muny’s goal is to have the complete system in place for the 2013 season.

“After three consecutive  summers of record-breaking temperatures, we are excited to be taking steps to improve the comfort of our audience,” said Reagan. “This may be one of the most exciting developments in The Muny’s 95‐year history, continuing our tradition of giving our audiences exceptional theater and an extraordinary experience.”

This historic project was made possible by a gift of $200,000 from Harry and Sally Johnston and the Henry O. Johnston Family Fund.

The total project is expected to cost $600,000. Additional members of the “Muny Fan Club” include generous support from Ameren Corporation and Interco Charitable Trust, along with other major gifts scheduled for announcement in 2013. The existing blower system, installed in 1957, will be modernized to enhance airflow in the audience. Upgrades to the motors and new louver designs will more than double the system’s current output and reach.

These blowers will continue to operate throughout Muny performances.

Work on this part of the project is scheduled to begin in early winter.

The current Muny fans, installed in 1955, will be replaced with four significantly larger fans featuring lightweight blades modeled with energy efficient WhalePower technology.

These new fans will create a breeze that will reach across the entire Muny audience. The Muny’s goal is to run these fans during the evening performances.

Sound engineers and contractors are currently conducting research and tests to see if the fans will be quiet enough to achieve this goal.