Atherton’s renovations are happening in the lower concourse! With the auditorium and surrounding classes having started construction over spring break, the performing arts have been moved to classrooms.
Atherton’s band, theatre, and choir classes (with the exception of piano and orchestra, who are staying in the orchestra room during the construction) are now performing in old classrooms. Band and choir have been moved to Room 116, while theatre and stagecraft classes are now in room 215.
Shelby Steege is Atherton’s theatre and stagecraft teacher. Steege explains what some of the renovations will be.
“In the auditorium we are getting new seats, new carpeting, new paint, and new lighting (both regular and theatrical). In choir they are rebuilding the risers, getting new windows, and updating electric and HVAC. Orchestra is getting new windows, new HVAC, and updated electrical. In the band room they are getting rid completely of the risers, they are updating electric, HVAC and, getting new windows,” said Steege.
A complexity of the move is making adjustments to lesson-planning.
“I definitely had to re-think some of the lessons that I do at the end of the year. We really had to be creative about how to do our evening of one acts, which includes a freshman sophomore play. We have decided, weather permitting, to perform those in the amphitheater,” Steege said.
Though, Steege is looking forward to the updated areas.
“I am very excited for the renovations. It will be neat to see a very different space,” said Steege.
With there being a sudden change of learning environment, the Aerial also got students’ opinions on the renovations.
Sophia Hughes (10) has been in choir for two years. She describes the move as complicated.
“It’s definitely a challenge. We’re dealing with a lot less space and it’s a lot more compact. We’re hearing things that we aren’t used to and we’re having to make a lot of adjustments,” Hughes said.
However, Hughes is eager to see the new renovations.
“I am so excited for the renovations. I think having new risers and overall newer stuff will make the choir more enjoyable to be in the room, and it’ll make things easier to not have to deal with older spaces and mold,” said Hughes.
Evelyn Batista (12) has been in Atherton’s band for all of her 4 years at Atherton. To Batista, a challenging part of the move has been the stress.
“One of the most difficult things that I’ve experienced is how we’ve had to move out of the band room and also out of the art room this year. Since they’re both my art forms, it got kind of stressful having to move back and forth. Also, the fact that the auditorium is getting renovated and the stage is stressful too. Now the final performance for my stage concert I won’t be able to play at the school, which is where I’ve always played, so it’s kind of sad,” Batista said.
Batista notes the changes in the sound of the space.
“The sound feels very different; especially because people are starting to hold back when they’re playing, and that’s because we’re surrounded by other regular classrooms. Teachers have come up to Ms. Cumberledge to tell her how well we’re doing or if it’s getting annoying. They can all hear it so I can feel that some people in my class are starting to hold back. And with the dynamics in our songs we kind of do have to play loud sometimes, and sometimes people are scared to play out, so I think that changed a lot,” said Batista.
Even though she is disappointed to not personally experience the changes after graduation, Batista plans to visit in the future.
“I’m pretty excited, even though I’m not gonna be here to see the changes. I’m excited to come here in the future and to watch my underclassman friends play in their concerts, musicals, or plays,” Batista said.
The renovations in the performing arts areas will continue throughout the summer, with teachers hoping the construction will be done by the beginning of the next school year.
