For more than 40 years, patrons have enjoyed performances from their seats in Ball State's Emens Auditorium. Soon, the experience will be even more comfortable - and will sound better to boot.

It's all due to a major renovation under way inside the concert and theater venue, which has hosted legendary performers ranging from David Letterman and Stevie Wonder to Adam Sandler and Larry the Cable Guy.

Emens director Bob Myers said the improvements include refurbishing the main floor seats. "They will feature a slightly different look. Previously the backs were metal, and now they will be wood that is stained to match the walnut doors, and they will provide even better acoustics in the facility," he said. "They also will sit a little higher than the older seats to provide better sight lines."

In addition, the seats will be slightly roomier than their predecessors, while some older, narrow seats will be eliminated altogether during the project, Myers said. "We will lose a few hundred seats in the renovations, but it won't impact the shows we put on because it is not a significant number," he explained.

Crews began removing all of the auditorium's seats in late June after Emens completed its yearly schedule of shows and special events, which included graduations and dance camps. Once the seats were removed, crews began refinishing the concrete floor and touching up the ceiling plaster. They plan to install a new audio system, as well, which should provide a "cleaner, crisper sound for lectures and other events," Myers said.

Emens budgets money each year for long-term renovations and repairs. Myers reported the last time the seats were worked on was 1993, when they were repadded and covered with new fabric.

He expects the latest refurbishment to be completed by Aug. 17.