The new building is a designated performing arts centre with a fixed stage, curtains, wings, sound and lighting. Photo / Richard Furhoff
The new building is a designated performing arts centre with a fixed stage, curtains, wings, sound and lighting. Photo / Richard Furhoff
The refurbished performing arts centre at Hereworth School will have "a transformative effect" on pupils, the school's headmaster says.
Just over a year after construction began, the Anna Stuck Performing Arts Centre at Hereworth School has opened.
Construction on upgrading the Wiremu Hall into the fit-for-purpose centre began in October 2019.
The multi-purpose facility is being used for various performing arts, school productions, theatre sports, kapa haka, assemblies, presentations and other school functions.
Headmaster Trevor Barman said the new facility helped the school meet the 21st century learning needs of the boys.
He said the refurbished facility was having "a transformative effect" in contributing to richer and more fulfilling performing arts experiences which equipped the boys with skills such as critical reflection, creative thinking, collaboration and communication with others.
"More specifically, it enables our boys to learn to find their own voice, engage their mind, emotion, and body in ways that allow them to move through real-life situations with increasing empathy, compassion, understanding, emotional intelligence, confidence and resilience."
The interior of the Anna Stuck Performing Arts Centre. Photo / Richard Furhoff
Director of performing arts and music Joanne Stevens said it was the first time Hereworth had had a designated, fit-for-purpose performing arts facility with a fixed stage, wings, curtains, sound and lighting.
"Already it has been used a lot. We've had four performances in seven days and there has been a lot of rehearsal for that.
"It's just going to be utilised in so many ways and the fact that we do have sound, lighting and a purpose-built stage means that we can go in there and practise and rehearse in a way we have never been able to before."
They hope to hold a senior school production there in 2021.
Stevens said the 250-seat venue would provide a smaller, more intimate space for the community.
It was designed by Steve Berkhead, of Integrating Architecture, and built by Gemco.
The opening of the centre included performances from the school's various performing arts groups, including the Hereworth Barbershop Chorus. Photo / Richard Furhoff
The centre was officially opened by Anna Stuck, a former parent who contributed a generous donation to the refurbishment, on Thursday, November 19.
On the Thursday evening, there were performances by the school's choirs, barbershop, kapa haka group and students.
Old boys, including award-winning musician Thomas Oliver and Harry Mason, also performed.
Stevens, who co-ordinated the event, said it was "a very special celebration" which the Hereworth community was "still talking about".
"I was so thrilled with it; it was just one of those nights when everything was just befitting a celebration like that."
