Newtown High Stretches Out in Renovated Auditorium

Newtown High School's performing arts community was undismayed by the challenge of producing three plays in temporary venues during the year-long renovation of their 13,700 square-foot auditorium. Since the completion of the $3.75 million renovation with the help of Nextstage Design and QA+M Architecture, Newtown High was produced plays and musicals such as The Crucible, Les Misérables, and the upcoming Mary Poppins.

Jane Matson, NHS choral director and director of Les Misérables, decided to celebrate the new auditorium by producing "something epic and grand, something beautiful in its music and inspiring in its message." (It also happens to be the musical that prompted Janice Gabriel, Theater Arts Teacher and auditorium manager, to pursue a theater career.) Matson notes that Les Mis depicts characters "who suffer unimaginable loss yet move on with strength and dignity...who endeavor to make the world a better place," which, coupled with its technical difficulty, is inspiring for the community and enriching for students. New production possibilities opened by Nextstage's renovation to the space provided a properly stretched canvas on which the students imparted their talent, empathy, drive, and intellect in order to share an earnest, wholehearted moment with the community.

Gabriel noted that the space works wonderfully now, and she is thankful to Nextstage for answering questions regarding equipment use and best practices promptly in order to smooth the initial year of use. Gabriel relates "You all have been such a wonderful partner for us, and I have truly enjoyed our partnership and personally enjoyed your friendship and guidance!"

Nextstage Design collaborated with Smith Edwards McCoy (now QA+M Architecture) to renovate the 1970s-era auditorium. The company re-sloped the auditorium floor, reseated the auditorium for 950, and created parterre seating areas at the rear and sides of the auditorium to improve sightlines and comfort, improve access for wheelchair users, and foster a more intimate and supportive environment for the student performers. The lighting systems were updated, allowing the school to add LED units and providing LED cyc lights to be used for rich coloring of the new seamless cyclorama. The company added a follow spot perch above the control room (previously a scaffold had to be built for each light, and the units hauled up into position for the annual musical). A double purchase counterweight rigging system was installed using Thern "Brickhouse" arbors and rope locks, providing a training opportunity for students under the supervision of Gabriel. The new LED house lighting can provide ample light for note-taking or can be dimmed for watching video presentations.

These improvements have transformed the auditorium and allowed it to assume a larger role in the life of the school and community.