Northrop Auditorium, University of Minnesta East Bank.

The U of M regents have OK'd $80 million for the redo of Northrop Auditorium. Local architects HGA will lead the overhaul of the classic1929 building.

One big change of interest to fans of Northrop Dance seasons? The number of seats will go from nearly 5,000 to about 2,800. Given that the last show there (the Voronezh Ballet of Russia) drew an audience of 4,000, there is potential for sellouts for the most popular events at the new, downsized theater when it reopens in 2013.

If push comes to shove in terms of getting tickets to coveted events, first priority will go to donors and those who have been longtime season subscribers to the Northrop Dance and Jazz seasons. Next in line will be lapsed subscribers, followed by single-ticket buyers and the general public. This according to Ben Johnson, director of Northrop Concerts and Lectures.

The new interior design calls for three balconies on a partial horseshoe plan. This will move most seats closer to the stage. Johnson reports that 75 percent of seats will be within 100 feet of the stage. Also on the docket are acoustic, electrical, sightline and engineering improvements.

Rendering of the redesigned interior lobby of Northrop.

Northrop Dance moves to downtown Minneapolis during construction. Next up is Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, below, at the State Theatre March 6. Six more dance performances for the 2011-12 season are to be announced in April. They will be presented at the State or Orpheum theaters in Minneapolis.