The halls of Presser Arts Center were buzzing Friday night — but the front doors were locked.

That’s because patrons were welcomed through the east entrance, directly into Presser’s new construction, for a “toasting, roasting and celebration” tour of its newest addition.

Champagne and sparkling juice was handed to guests upon entering the multipurpose classroom that will serve as practice space for Presser Pipes and a classroom for summer camp activities. It will also be used for screenings for the Film program, and includes a working kitchen for the culinary arts program, which Executive Director Lois Brace said is her favorite part.

“That’s something that the community’s been wanting forever, and now we can give it to them without any reservation,” she said.

Making her way from the new kitchen, through the expanded scene shop, and past the ceramics station, Brace stopped in the space that connects the new addition to the Stribling Black Box Theatre.

“I call this the corridor, now,” she said.

What could easily be mistaken for a wide hallway was once the old scene shop and it was packed, floor to ceiling, with just about anything from equipment to props. The old scene shop used to contain a washer and dryer, large paint sink, storage shelf, tape shelf, vacuum, air compressor, workbench, all of Presser’s furniture dollies and hand trucks, ladders, rolling tool chests, outdoor hoses and extension cords leaving no room to build anything.

But that’s okay because the new scene shop offers more than just extra storage space.

Tiger Rotenburg, facilities manager, said the shop was designed to be as wide as the main stage. This will allow those who are working on props and scene design to get a real feel for the layout. And once they’re finished, sets can be easily wheeled from the shop directly onto the stage as it is all on the same level.

It also includes secure storage, equipped with fingerprint locks, for all of Presser’s tools, a mezzanine for lumber storage, a floor drain for quick clean up of the inevitable crafting mess, and a dedicated ceramics corner with six pottery wheels, two ceramics kilns and one glass kiln.

Excited patrons immediately inquired about the possibility of adult ceramics classes, which Brace said could start as early as this fall.

This building, which has yet to be named, was a necessity, according to Brace. Roughly a year after its expansion and reopening, Presser was already experiencing scheduling conflicts, which limited the programs it could offer.

The entrance, nestled between Richardson Hall and the main entrance, can be accessed through the south parking lot, which was packed Friday night and Brace said she couldn’t believe the turnout.

“This is more than we anticipated,” she said. “We’re really excited.”

After champagne in the new expansion and light hors d'oeuvres in the main hall, guests were invited into the theatre where there was a full line up of musical and comedic entertainment.

A duet performed by guitarist Scott Webber and vocalist Gracelynn Penn kicked off the evening, followed by a comedic roast of 12 local community members by Tony Robertson. The evening wrapped up with a show by the Echos.