Page 13 - Priorities #26 2004-April

The Performing Arts Center’s Design Takes Shape
After more than three years of meetings and revisions, the PAC design committee’s current plan is visually elegant and educationally just what’s needed, says one committee member.
Although funding questions are yet to be answered and the building permit process yet to be completed, the final design of Woodside Priory’s wished-for PerformingArtsCenteriscomingintofocus. From its inception, the special perspective of the users—the students and faculty— has been in the capable hands of Tom Carter, former performing arts department head. It’s been an exciting ride to get to this point, and the building that committee members now envision is simply stunning, Tom says.
The most recent design is a striking two stories that makes use of vertical lines and glass, with a visual focus on a large, open plaza between the building and Founders Hall, and a breezeway that ties the new building to the rest of the campus. A beautiful old oak tree borders the breezeway and is the focal point of the theatre classroom.
The asymmetrical effect of placing a small theatre arts classroom across the breezeway from the large auditorium/classroom building is visually dynamic – creating an impressive yet welcoming feel, Tom says.
The PAC concept began years ago as a “black box” on the top of the hill—a plan that turned out to be inexpensive but not very practical. That concept morphed to a “big box” auditorium with satellite shop and classrooms located on the Founders Hall parking lot. That became a single, large, one-story building which cut into the hillside, and that became today’s asymmetrical, two-level design.
While the concept of the PAC was still fresh
and new, and a design committee not yet appointed, Tom went to work with architectural software on hishomecomputer.Havingworkedinhispre-WPS life in a wide variety of school and theater settings, and having even developed a plan for a theater in a formerautorepairfacility,Tombroughtsubstantial practicalknowledgetotheproject.Hecameupwith performing arts facilities that had what he considered “the basics.”
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An auditorium with comfortable and traditional theater seating—but retractable, so that the floor can be used for many purposes, including school dances, dance classes or large receptions.
A large stage and adjacent space suitable for producing musicals.
Acoustical sophistication that would enhance both theater and concert performances. (Acoustics in the gym and Assembly Hall are so inadequate that WPS choirs and orchestras hold their concerts off the campus.)
A scene shop with easy access to the stage.
A “green room” (actors’ waiting area) directly
behind the stage, so actors’ noise is removed from the audience and stage entrances are easily accessible.
Other features in his initial design included:
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A drama classroom suitable for productions with a small number of performers and audience (such as a class play).
Individual orchestral and choral
classrooms with storage spaces and
practice rooms.
A theater lobby with space to display
student visual arts.
A kitchen that would support banquets A standard orchestra pit
A design committee—consisting of
Headmaster Tim Molak, Brother Edward
Englund, Trustee Al Ebneter and Tom—went towork. TrusteesBillRoberts,RayRothrock
and Wayne Davison, Director of Finance
Jack Hundley, and Terry Hayes (whose daughter graduatedin2003)joinedinspring2003. Architects SteveKelleyandMarkMiller joinedinearlysummer. This committee made a series of design revisions and brought the project up to its final stage.
13
Update
Maas Family Commons Completed and occupied on schedule.
Performing Arts Center More than $4 million of the $7 million goal achieved. Next steps are being assesed.
Endowment
Nearly $2.2 million towards $5 million gaol. Current effort is the annual drive to fund scholarships named for Priory Benedictine fathers (the “Father Funds”)