Oak Park’s new theater debuts tonight




Gone are the folding chairs, tight rows and difficult viewing that marred the theater experience at Oak Park High School. A custom stadium seating system was recently installed in the Pavilion, the school’s multipurpose roomtheater.

About 365 seats in 16 rows that graduate in height from floor level to about 15 feet now provide views of the stage from any seat. The blue chairs feature cushioned seats and backs. The seats are divided by two lit staircase aisles. The 53-foot-wide automated system folds up into an accordionstyle configuration so that the Pavilion can be used for other events and for lunch on rainy school days.

“It changes the feel, the volume and just feels like this very intimate, wonderful theater,” said Principal Lynn McCormack. “It is magnificent. This community deserves it.”

The seats will make their debut tonight, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. when the school’s drama department presents “A Day in the Life,” directed by senior Tiffany Katz. The play also runs at 7 p.m. tomorrow and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.

The new seating was part of the original Pavilion design when the building was constructed in 2003. Through the Oak Park High School Performing Arts Founders Circle, parents had raised $90,000 for permanent seats, but at least another $100,000 was needed. Installation of the seating was postponed after it was determined the funding was needed to enlarge the band and choir rooms inside the Pavilion, said Martin Klauss, assistant superintendent for business and administrative services.

Total cost for the seating was about $200,000. The remaining $110,000 was provided by the C6 technology bond measure passed by Oak Park voters in 2006. The project was held up while it awaited approval from the California Division of the State Architect, which reviews public school design and construction plans.

Although private schools had installed the seating, no public schools had, so the state required engineering and testing of the system.

The seating firm was reluctant to spend $150,000 on testing because few public schools were potential clients, said Cliff Moore, assistant superintendent for human resources and employment. When Moorpark College decided to purchase the same system, it split the testing cost with the seating firm.

“We were able to piggyback on that,” Moore said. “It took years to get through that whole process.”

Alan Toomayan, who was an original contributor to the seating project, became a committe member about three years ago to help bring the project to fruition. He said he felt frustrated by the state’s ongoing requirements.

“Every time plans were drawn up the DSA would drag their feet and say, ‘You need to do this, you need to do that,’” Toomayan said. “It was one hurdle after another.”

Toomayan, whose two daughters have graduated from Oak Park High, said he is relieved that the project is finally finished.

“It’s going to be great to see a high school musical in actual seats instead of squeaky folding chairs,” Toomayan said.

The drama department is presenting two musicals this year, “The Sound of Music,” March 11 through 13, and “Fiddler on the Roof,” May 13 through 15.

To thank donors and volunteers who were instrumental in the project, the school is hosting a reception in the Pavilion from 7 to 8 p.m. Wed., Jan. 20.

Donations may be made toward the upkeep of the Pavilion. Several donor levels are being offered, including seat plaques that may be inscribed in memory or in honor of a loved one. Names may also be placed on a donor wall that will be installed inside the Pavilion. For donation information, call (818) 735-3301 or email gsterling@oakparkusd.org.

An analysis of the Pavilion’s acoustics and sound is currently under way. Klauss hopes to have the work completed by the end of February.

“It will really be a first-rate facility for performances,” Klauss said.


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