More than 70 people are busy working on the new Frank Venables Theatre, which features a winding staircase in the grand foyer.
Lyonel Doherty photo
Massive.
That’s the only way Alison Podmorow can describe the stage in the nearly completed Frank Venables Theatre.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been on a larger stage than this,” said the drama teacher from Southern Okanagan Secondary School.
Podmorow pointed out all of the features during a tour led by Mitch Van Aller, director of facilities for School District 53.
She said the stage was specifically designed for a big cast of characters, such as students who will perform the theatre’s first production in April – The Wizard of Oz.
The tour began in the new “black box” teaching theatre, where drama students will have their very own studio to learn their craft. It will be a fully functioning studio with a modern lighting and sound system.
Van Aller noted the studio will feature a “sprung” floor, specially designed for dancing.
Podmorow pointed out the studio will also have a support railing, mirrors and a portable stage.
“We’re really ready to have something that’s permanent and beautiful,” she said, adding it will definitely make the drama program stronger at SOSS.
Continuing on, Van Aller pointed out a long hallway of dressing rooms. A number of small holes in the wall indicated where the long countertop and mirrors will be installed for makeup application – Hollywood-style.
One may definitely feel like an ant on stage when staring up at 400 seats, but Podmorow said it will be an “intimate” theatre.
Van Aller noted that the seats were donated by the Denman theatre in Vancouver. These seats are virtually new and will be positioned as “continental seating” with more knee room for patrons, he pointed out.
Van Aller said the equipment budget for sound, lighting, video and drapery is approximately $800,000.
Podmorow said it’s all state-of-the-art technology. “There is no other high school theatre like this.”
The theatre foyer will be quite grand. A winding staircase leads to the upper level. For people with mobility issues, there is an elevator and a ramp.
The foyer ceiling looks similar to the high school’s atrium, with a glass dome (skylight) on top.
Carpeted walls will grace some areas, while birch panels will adorn others.
Look up . . . look way up. Three catwalks will host rigging and lighting crews.
There will also be video monitors for ushers to determine when to let patrons in and out of the theatre during a performance.
Van Aller said more than 70 people, including 18 electricians, are currently working on the finishing stages of the facility.
The theatre is slated for completion by the end of January, with a grand opening scheduled for February.
And now for the drum roll . . . the theatre’s first production will be The Wizard of OZ, presented by high school students in April.
Podmorow said this is very exciting but overwhelming at the same time. She noted the drama department lost all of its sets and costumes to the fire in 2011.
That’s why the school is looking for help in building flats (set walls). “All of that burned; we currently have zero set property.”
Podmorow said the Double O Quilters Guild is helping make costumes for the students. Her hope is to make this production a community affair.
Nineteen years ago when Podmorow was a new teacher, she directed the Wizard of Oz. So she thought it fitting to do it again in the new theatre.
“It’s a big production with lots of kids (40-50) involved. It’s very similar to the movie, but no flying monkeys.”
Who will play Dorothy? Time will tell. Auditions start the first week of December.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
