Page 67 - spaces4learning, Fall 2023

IMAGE COURTESY OF HMFH ARCHITECTS
provide views that allow other students to observe activities within.
Addressing
High-Schoolers’ Development
its founding in 1999. The theater arts program uses standard classrooms for instruction and rehearsals. A platform stage serves as the only setting for productions. Without dedicated theater space, the students who participate in high-school theater competitions at other schools often find themselves on a professional stage for the first time.
One of the priorities for the new building, slated to open in September 2024, is to provide for full-stage productions that will meet the needs of the school’s IB diploma criteria. Students at this level are focused on the achievement of creating something, through close collaboration and by taking risks. Accordingly, the program includes a 2,200-square-foot, black-box theater and a 433- seat proscenium stage auditorium. Support spaces include dressing rooms, costume and set storage, and theatrical equipment spaces.
The auditorium is designed with raked seating for good sightlines and an intimate feel. The main control position is located at the top of the seating in an open configuration, so the sound operators can hear the performance directly. Performance lighting and follow-spot positions are mounted along catwalks above the house. An internal catwalk access stair enhances opportunities for dramatic productions with a unique “Juliette balcony” landing.
The black box is sized for classes, rehearsals, and small-scale productions; it has flexible seating, risers, and theatrical sound and lighting systems; and it is co-located with the auditorium to share back-of-house functions. Ten-foot-high double doors enable stage set pieces to be moved directly into the main proscenium stage. Upper-level tech galleries are wheelchair accessible so all students can gain experience with lights and sound equipment.
Educational Impact
When closely coordinated with a curriculum vision and an un- derstanding of the developmental stages of students, the planning and design of performing and theater arts spaces can bring the educational experience to a different level for many. In the way that
When designing performing
er considerations come to
the forefront. For the Josiah
Quincy Upper School in Bos-
ton, Mass., the prospect of
dedicated performance spac-
es as part of their planned
new building was potentially
transformative. This down-
town high school offers an
International Baccalaureate
(IB) program where students
undertake self-directed proj-
ects for their diploma track.
One subject area encompass-
es pathways in performing
arts where the goal is “the
discovery of cultural values of civilizations through their artis- tic production...to promote international understanding.”
The school has been operating in outdated facilities since
arts spaces for high schools, oth-
participation in school team sports can engage students who gravitate towards athlet- ics, performance can build ca- maraderie, introspection, and collaborative skills for those who might not otherwise find outlets that interest them. How well the facilities address the needs of the specific users will determine the degree of life-long impact on them.
Matt LaRue, AIA, LEED GA
is a Senior Associate at HMFH Architects with 27 years of experience designing student-
centric schools that support a broad spectrum of educational models and community needs. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Art from Northeastern University and a Master of Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
PARTICIPATING IN THEATER ARTS 'ALLOWS STUDENTS TO GET TO KNOW THE STORIES OF OTHERS AND WHO WE ARE PERSONALLY. THIS REQUIRES OPENING UP IN FRONT OF EACH OTHER. THEY NEED TO FEEL THEY ARE IN A SAFE 􏰀ND J􏰁DGE􏰂ENT-􏰃REE SETTING􏰄􏰅 SAID DONNIE NORTON WITH THE WEYMOUTH HIGH THEATER COMPANY.
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