Performing Arts Facilities in Schools

Click to enlarge Performing arts centre.

A purpose-built performing arts centre was designed for curriculum music, dance, and drama, a range of productions, and general school activities. The stand-alone building is joined to other buildings that form a semi-circle overlooking a sloping lawn. This retains the integrity of the school's overall layout and connects the performing arts centre with all classrooms.

Click to enlarge Auditorium.

The main space is a multi-purpose auditorium with a broad performance area large enough for full-scale productions. The high quality timber floor is used for a range of curriculum activities.

Permanent tiered seating can be supplemented by chairs on the floor. Five sets of double doors give easy access from all classrooms and a covered deck.

Click to enlarge Raised ceiling.

The raised centre section of the ceiling contains the ventilation system, four strong house lights, and shallow windows with electric controls. These combine to give the space a light and airy volume that was given a higher priority during planning than full blackout capacity.

Click to enlarge Ventilation window.

Click to enlarge Timber shutters.

The back wall of the performance area has full-length windows onto the deck and lawn. These can be covered internally with folding timber shutters. A smaller ventilation window in this wall can be blacked out with steel louvers.

Click to enlarge Music room.

Along a short corridor from the auditorium is a music room, which is about half-classroom size and doubles as a backstage room for performances.

Click to enlarge Storage space.

The cavity under the tiered seating is utilised as a storage space. It opens to the music room at one end and onto the performance space at the other end, facilitating access to equipment and providing stage entrances during performances.