Planning & Design Meetings Meeting #1 9/9/2009 - MinutesPalo Alto HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
03 June 2009
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PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
PERFORMING ARTS/THEATER SUBCOMMITEE MEETING #1
DATE: 9 September 2009, 3:15pm-5:00pm
SUBJECT: New Theater Conceptual Design
ATTENDEES: See attached sign-in sheet
The following are the highlights of the meeting:
1. Principal Jacquie McEvoy (JM) called the meeting to order. She introduced various
meeting attendees.
2. Stu Berman (SB) showed a power point presentation of the Theater
subcommittee’s design objectives. The desired theater usage is for: instrumental
and choral concerts, plays, musicals, films, and school assemblies. The stage
needs to fit 120 musicians for instrumental concerts. The desired seat count is 450
to 500 for musicals and 600 for assemblies, enough to seat an entire class such as
the sophomore class. Other desired features include: a large stage, “green” room,
orchestra pit, fly-loft, ample dressing rooms and storage, and a low exterior profile.
3. James Hilner (JH) explained how important music is for the performing arts
curriculum. A stage able to fit a band of 120 musicians is important. He expressed
his desire for a theater that can operate successfully for both music and drama.
4. Architect Erwin Lee (EL) introduced Adam Shalleck (AS), from the Shalleck
Collaborative, who is a theater consultant. AS explained various aspects affecting
Theater design. His presentation and ensuing discussion were as follows:
Multi-Purpose Theaters
AS mentioned that a 600-seat theater works well for a multi-purpose venue.
AS explained how a school theater must serve various functions and how this
can be done without compromising performance.
AS showed with a power-point animation how a theater can be converted from a
drama venue into an acoustical music venue by the addition of a portable band
shell that can be put together by 4 students. The shell includes a ceiling that is
hoisted above when not in use. The walls require a 250 SF storage area and
the overall cost is about $175,000.
AS explained how the shell is especially necessary if the Theater has a Fly Loft,
as the shell directs all the sound out to the audience preventing it from being
lost in the high bay space above the stage. For theaters without a Fly Loft the
same acoustical treatment that’s over the seating area can continue over the
stage.
Palo Alto HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
03 June 2009
P. 2
Fly Loft or no Fly Loft
AS explained that theaters either have a Fly Loft over the stage or they have a
tension grid that allows changes in scenery in a limited fashion. A Fly Loft allows
full flexibility for quick scenery changes.
AS explained how a Fly Loft works, its size requirements (2 ½ times the height
of the proscenium) and cost impacts. He also showed an animation of how it
operates to change scenery through a system of counterweights.
AS showed examples of a tension grid system that does not require a high
space above the stage.
AS explained how a Fly Loft is valuable to students as an instructional feature.
He noted that the ambition of the audience generally determines the ambition of
the stagecraft.
Orchestra Pit of no Orchestra Pit
AS explained the requirements of an orchestra pit. It is generally 8-feet below
the stage level and requires two exit stairs and a wheelchair lift for access. The
pit typically extends out about ten feet beyond the proscenium and the platform
can be raised that extends stage area, when not in use.
AS explained the benefits of an orchestra pit. They are valuable for musicals
when singers are on stage and can project their voices over the musicians.
5. The following questions were directed to AS and EL:
TH asked when can the decision be made to have or not have a Fly Loft?
o AS answered that the decision should be made early on as it affects the overall
theater design and budget.
James Hilmer (JH) asked; how will the Theater house a band of 120?
o AS answered that the size of the stage will be driven by the size of the band. He
would not recommend that the Green Room accommodate such large numbers
and that the Choral Room in Bldg. 100 could serve the purpose for these events.
Caroline Willis (CW) asked; will the desired program would fit on the site and
would the instructional spaces be included?
o EL answered that a conceptual design has been started and presented first and
second floor plans of a 600-seat Theater with preliminary spatial layouts.
o EL noted that the site area is not large enough to house the instructional spaces
and that it’s assumed that Building 100 will house these as it already does, as well
as others that will be accommodated after the modernization of Building 100.
TH asked; what construction cost per SF are we looking at for the Theater?
o AS answered that it depended on the program and on fluctuating construction
costs. Recent experience shows that it can range from $320 to $715 per SF.
o EL added that the conceptual budget is based on a 15,500 SF theater at
roughly $600 per SF.
SB asked; does it makes sense to build the without all the equipment in place?
o AS answered that yes it does and that the Theater can be outfitted later on.
Palo Alto HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
03 June 2009
P. 3
AS asked; how may theaters have the Theater Subcommittee visited?
o SB answered that they have visited 6 theaters including: Saratoga and Foothill.
AS noted that he recommends they visit more including the California Theater.
6. JM explained that she intends to pursue a potential $3 million dollars in grant
money that became available, in order to better fund equipment for the Theatre.
Holly Ward of ‘Theater Boosters’ noted that her organization is very willing to help
in raising money for the Theater project.
7. TH noted that we need to develop a conceptual design and program and account
for an increase in student population.
8. AS and EL noted that they can address this group again in October after reviewing
the building layout and program information. AS will develop a building program
based on the various programmatic notes the subcommittee has given him. The
next discussion promises to be more detailed and address issues such as, building
features versus budget and building dimensions.
END
Prepared by Christopher Ades of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise if you feel that any of the above
items are inaccurate or need further clarification or detail.
cc: Attendees
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