Auburn gets a new performing arts center

Contributed Auburn Villager A scene from the AHS performance of "Beauty and the Beast."

Auburn has a new performing arts center. A $10 million addition and renovation project at Auburn High School, called the Auburn Performing Arts Center, Julie and Hal Moore Center for Excellence, opened this weekend after almost a year of construction.

The center boasts new band and chorus rooms and a renovated auditorium in which all Auburn city public schools may perform.

"We absolutely did not have enough space," said Todd Freeman, Auburn City Schools' executive director for school operations and services. "The band has over 200 students who participate, and that's not in addition to other bands such as symphonic. The choral program has increased significantly in the last few years, and the high school has recently added a theatre program."

The old choir and band rooms--located directly behind the stage area in the renovated auditorium--have been renovated to become the new theatre classroom, dressing rooms and a theatre scene shop. New choir and band rooms have been built in the area that used to house the high school cafeteria.

The renovated auditorium seats 950 and comes complete with brand new furniture, walls, section lights and even an orchestra pit. The pit can be covered and 75 seats can be added.

Construction on the auditorium and the band and chorus rooms is complete, with the first ACS performance scheduled for this weekend. Construction workers are still completing parts of the entrance.

"We're so excited, this is something we really needed for our kids and the community," said Dr. Cathy Long, AHS principal.

She said choir, band and theatre students would be able to showcase their talent in an appropriate setting.

"The last few years have been kind of sad because we have this wonderful talent and you got in the room and the acoustics and lights weren't good.," she said. "We're just appreciative and excited about it."

Funding for the new addition comes from a local bond issue.

"The way it works is that we finance our projects through the City of Auburn and the board makes payments until it has expired," Freeman said. "Our board of education is very committed to the fine arts, and we have many students who participate in them. Our superintendant has been in the forefront in making sure we are providing for the fine arts."

This the first time the city has had one building that all city public schools, elementary and secondary, could utilize for performances. Freeman noted that all Auburn public schools have art and music instructors.

"Beauty and the Beast" will be the first play performed in the new auditorium.

Director Kimberly Mock said it has been fun to work with the cast not only because they are extremely talented, but they're just "all around good kids."

"They're kind and courteous and they collaborate well with one another," Mock said. "There's not a one of them who has acted like ‘the star of the show.' It's been a great joy to watch them support one another throughout the production process."

Mock said she is thankful to Freeman and the ACS Board of Education for working so diligently to provide the performing arts students a place to showcase their talents and to provide entertainment for the community.

"I am extremely excited about our new performing arts center," she said. "Being able to work in a facility that is equipped with professional theatre equipment makes my job and the job of the actors much easier. Not only is the facility adequately equipped, but it's also a warm and inviting atmosphere where our community will feel welcomed."

The play will be performed at 6:30 p.m. tonight and at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

General admission is $8. Tickets can be purchased at the Auburn High School Box Office. For more information call (334) 887-4999.

The facility is named for retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his deceased wife, Julie. Moore, an Auburn resident, wrote "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young," a book about his experiences in the Battle of Ia Drang in Viet Nam. Actor Mel Gibson crafted the film "We Were Soldiers" from the book.