Chad Gifford, the theatre’s artistic and technical director, said it is nice to wrap up another successful season and get back to normal life. Gifford is a teacher at Minot High School.

This year’s cast and crew are very much a mixture of talented local and out-of-staters, Gifford said. Anyone can get involved. The theatre program likes to have local community involvement, and this season they have a three-generation family on the crew — a grandmother, son and grandson. Gifford’s own two sons are involved this year as well as some husband-and-wife duos and a brother and sister.

The renovation of the outdoor amphitheater is just about complete, with the exception of the canopy installation over the Josh Duhamel stage this fall, the wheelchair lift and landscaping.

Gifford said the wheelchair lift makes all the seating accessible from the main floor entrance level. Along with landscaping, the new lighting and plaza, it is a lot safer and looks much nicer.

Jen Brodal/MDN The Josh Duhamel Stage at the MSU Summer Theatre is shown with the “Sound of Music” backdrop for the last showing this evening.

Gifford said one of the major goals was to increase accessibility, allowing cars to drive through and drop patrons at the door. The restrooms also were remodeled, which helped immensely with the intermission times. Prior to additional remodeled restrooms, it would take 30 minutes or more for people to return to their seats and now it takes just over 13 minutes during intermission, Gifford said.

The theatre has a new box office and concessions stand near the entrance to the seating. Previously people would have to climb to the top seating section to get popcorn. The theatre has been completely re-sided for protection from the elements. A new green room with air conditioning has been added for the cast, and all new lighting has been installed, said Gifford.

The theatre used to sell what is called grass seating, in the area surrounding the theatre seats, but now with additional seating and retaining wall seating, Gifford said the area is just too steep and will no longer work.

Often the theatre is sold out, with family-friendly favorites such as “The Sound of Music.” The renovation has increased seating from 480 to 560. So now when they are sold out, they are actually sold-out, Gifford said.

The dedication of the newly renovated theatre occurred at the grand opening in June with the first showing of “Something Rotten.” Duhamel’s schedule didn’t allow for his attendance, but Gifford said it is a possibility Duhamel will have a summer acting camp at some point.