APPLAUSE—An illustration of the main auditorium with sloped ceiling, acoustic features, catwalk and stage at the new CHS Performing Arts Center. Students and community members will have a pair of state-of-the-art buildings at their disposal when the new performing arts centers under construction at Agoura High and Calabasas High are completed next year, school officials told members of the Calabasas City Council last week.

“The new performing arts and education centers will be a beacon for the arts for everyone,” said Cindy Iser, a board member for Las Virgenes Unifi ed School District.

The facilities, which cost about $ 18.5 million each, are funded by Measure G, a $128-million construction bond approved by voters in 2006. The bond also has paid for new science labs at the high schools, the construction of the Yerba Buena Elementary School campus and major improvements at Lindero Canyon

FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE—Construction goes full tilt at the new Calabasas High School Performing Arts Center. Middle School.

“It may be confusing to the community that the school district is building at a time when the state is forcing us to cut our operating budget,” Iser said. “But everyone should understand that the funding for this construction is prohibited by law from being used for general operating purposes and can only be spent on construction or capital projects.”

The award-winning buildings at the high schools were designed by architect John

Sergio Fisher, who specializes in theater construction. Fisher received an architectural award from the Los Angeles Business Council earlier this year for the design of the buildings.

The main theaters in each center will have more than 650 seats, a large stage, a hydraulic orchestra pit, dressing rooms, sound booth and the capability to provide computer-generated scenery. The buildings include a box office and a concession area with outside seating.

Each center will also have a smaller “black box” theater that can be used as a classroom and a two-story lobby suitable for visual art displays.

“We view this facility as a gift from our community to our community. It will also be used by our community and city,” Iser said.

The school district plans to have a manager who will schedule events at both theaters, Iser said.

The district offers nationally recognized drama and music programs, and the new performing arts centers will replace aging multipurpose rooms and allow students’ artistic skills to blossom.

As hubs for the arts in Agoura, Calabasas and Westlake Village, the centers also will be available for rent to professionals and other group events.

“We wanted to have a venue that is worthy of our kids’ talent, and to draw talent to the region,” Zimring said.

As of last week, foundations for the seating in the main theaters had been poured. The exterior walls are half done. Construction is slated for completion in late 2012.

District officials gave a PowerPoint presentation that showed illustrations of what the completed theaters will look like from several angles, inside and out.

They also invited the city, local businesses and community members to participate in the endeavor.

“We really view the construction of these facilities as an opportunity to raise funds to support and expand the performing arts programs in the district by selling naming rights to the theaters. We hope donors will look at this opportunity to advertise and contribute to the community to create a lasting legacy,” Iser said.

City officials said they look forward to the completion of the new performing arts centers.

“I think it looks fantastic,” Councilmember Mary Sue Maurer said, adding that the city may consider providing funds in exchange for joint use of the facility.