Over the years, the City Opera House (COH) has hosted many acclaimed performers, authors, and even brides and grooms. But none of them ever had an easy time getting prepped for an event; the facility has never had dressing rooms, so people were left to use a small L-shaped green room or change in the kitchen, hallway, or restrooms.

No more. Work is underway on the long-awaited Dressing Room Project, and should be completed by early March.

“Construction started Dec. 14,” Kristi Dockter, COH operations and marketing director, tells The Ticker. “We have a wedding scheduled for March 14, and they may be able to use them.”

Though fundraising has been underway for two years, the project came to the public’s attention largely through the death of Traverse City DDA Director Bryan Crough. Crough, a longtime champion of downtown and of the arts, passed away from a heart attack in June 2013. Memorials in his name were directed toward the project.

Dockter says contributions in Crough’s name came close to $35,000. The remainder of the nearly $160,000 came from Rotary Charities, numerous foundations, and donations from individuals.

Each of the two dressing rooms being constructed will have seven stations, two sinks and two toilets, and a shower. Having the two separate rooms allows for separation of the genders, a requirement of Actors’ Equity Association, the union representing professional actors.

“We were not an Equity theatre,” says Dockter, meaning the venue could not book touring groups featuring Actors Equity Association members.

So while it is the artists and users of the facility who will utilize the dressing rooms, audiences will soon enjoy a greater number and variety of shows, the first of which will be the play Ernie, running Aug. 12-16. Written by Mitch Albom, it is based on the life of famed Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell.

The dressing rooms will also provide private access to the stage. “Now there’s a dressing room off the back of the stage. If a performer wants privacy, it’s not a problem,” says Dockter.

Over the years, the lack of dressing rooms presented several challenges. In 2011, the Opera House hosted “The Aluminum Show,” a theatrical presentation with 24 performers. Following the show, the troupe needed to leave for its next performance but first had to shower. Without any facilities on site, Dockter said the staff was forced to rent hotel rooms at the Park Place.

The dressing rooms were designed by Quinn Evans Architects of Ann Arbor and are being built by Eckler Construction of Traverse City. The entire project is under the purview of the City of Traverse City, which owns the City Opera House.