Theatre Investment is More Than Just the Auditorium

Just weeks after starting in my current position, our district held its spring referendum vote. Among the items being considered was an extensive remodel of the middle/high school building, including the construction of a 600-seat auditorium in an existing courtyard. It was not the deciding factor in my ultimate decision to take the job; however, with the hope of being the new director of the theatre program, it was certainly on my radar screen.

The motion passed, and construction began. Meanwhile, our high school productions continued, like many small districts, on the stage in our gymnasium. To be clear, great high school theatre can and does happen in gymnasiums; however, nothing about that setup – not the lights, sound, stage, dressing rooms, support spaces, sets or audience experience – rivals what it’s like to produce theatre in a space designed for theatre.

So, it was no surprise that when we moved into our new space two years later, everything changed, including my student’s attitudes about our productions. Whereas it was once easy to pass off small mistakes or imperfections as products of our environment, it was much harder to do so in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. This created a new, albeit enviable, problem to solve. How to mirror the investment made in the facility in the rest of the production? How to take our productions from something befitting a high school gymnasium to something befitting a multi-million dollar performing arts center?

The answer, of course, was time and money…two words not always readily embraced by a district or community that has already pumped millions into improving the facility. Still, it’s impossible to ignore that a new space will, in turn, require some new attentions. To fully utilize all capabilities of the space and produce a show that not only looked good, but also honored the investment of the community, additional investments were necessary.

Three areas in particular have been critical additions to our theatre program that go beyond the investment in the facility itself: set pieces, costumes (and the required storage space) and lighting design.

Set Design: The very first investment we made in the new space was in the set. New flats and platforms that better fit the stage space were constructed that allowed for maximum flexibility in use. In addition, we created a system for bracing that kept us from damaging the stage floor. Like many programs, we had a collection of pieces dating back 20 years that were covered with a dozen layers of paint, and, admittedly, many of these ended up in a dumpster. But the new pieces look professional, fit the dimensions of the new stage, are safer than the old pieces, and have been used in every, single production we’ve staged since the performance space opened. Their impact on the productions was immediate return on investment.

Costumes: Costumes were not the first investment we tackled, though thinking about how and where costumes will be stored is a question worth considering in the construction phase. It only takes a few shows to understand how quickly the cost of costumes add up. Take on a show like Beauty and the Beast or Shrek, and that number can double or triple. A new facility can greatly expand the opportunities for the size of shows and casts, but that comes with greater costume needs as well. Costume and estate sales, as well as trips to thrift and second-hand stores, can be helpful in starting an in-house costume collection. Eventually, we made the choice to purchase an entire collection from a retiring costume designer. This allows us to have what we need in house, with the eventual plan to loan pieces to neighboring schools and community theaters.

Lighting Design: Chances are a professional lighting package is included in the construction of a new performing arts space, so the added investment will likely not be necessary for the lights themselves, but rather the people who run them and the maintenance of the fixtures. After a year of using our auditorium as a classroom during COVID, more than 30 percent of our traditional, incandescent fixtures needed bulbs replaced. That meant hours above the stage and in the catwalks changing bulbs, repositioning, and refocusing lights. Make sure it’s clear who the designated person is responsible for this maintenance and how the expenses will be covered.

Additionally, just because a professional lighting system exists doesn’t mean that the quality of the lighting design is instantly professional. A well-trained theater advisor or professional lighting designer can make all the difference in positioning and programming the lights to create the best possible effect and experience for cast, crew and audience.

While the construction of an auditorium provides a solid foundation for a high school theatre program, sustained success requires additional investments in technical equipment, costume and set resources, maintenance, and training or professional development. By planning to not only build a facility, but also allocate resources to these key areas, high schools can help cultivate a thriving theatre program that not only enriches the educational experience for students but also contributes positively to the community as a whole.