From the Ground Up: Sight and Sound Theater

General contractor: CDI Contractors (Little Rock, Ark.)

Architect: Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc.

Engineers: Malone Finkle Eckhardt and Collins Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing; Providence Engineering (Lancaster, Pa.), structural

Size: 339,000 square feet

Estimated cost: $42 million

Lenders: Bank of Lancaster County, Arvest Bank, Univest, F&M Trust, Fulton Bank and National Penn Bank

Estimated completion date: spring 2008

Project description: Strasburg, Pa.-based Sight and Sound Ministries Inc. already has two theaters in Pennsylvania that draw 800,000 people annually. The company is expanding for the first time outside of its home state. Sight and Sound Ministries produces musical dramas based on Bible stories, performed on a 300-foot wraparound stage and featuring about 50 actors, detailed sets, elaborate costumes, dozens of live animals and special effects, according to Tom Fish, project manager with Butler, Rosenbury & Partners. Glenn Eschelman is founder and president of Sight and Sound Ministries.

Reporter Cory Smith brings you new projects each week. He may be reached by e-mail, by fax at (417) 799-0603 or by phone at (417) 831-3238.