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By Silvina Armienta/Staff Writer
Actors reciting their lines, musicians practicing their tunes, and wrestlers improving their moves are things you’ll see going on in the Performing Arts Building after school.
But because of a lack of time, or insufficient equipment, preparations can sometimes be irritating.
However, a solution for the dilemma seems to be coming.
As part of the school’s 50-year master plan, Monsignor Aidan Carroll said the next major project he wants to undertake is the construction of a new Performing Arts Building where the faculty house is currently located.
“I want to give members of the Amat family a suitable place to express themselves through the arts,” he said.
The proposed PAB would consist of an efficient-size soundstage for drama or music productions and dance performances, better equipped dance practice rooms, and music practice rooms.
Monsignor said that the PAB would be built in two stages called Phase 1A and Phase 1B.
Phase 1A would create a full-size theater with seats, curtains, a lobby, and a ticket booth. Phase 1B would include the addition of the dance and band rooms.
One of the benefits of having the on-campus facility would be being able to have school plays and performances year-round, he said.
However, there are several obstacles in the way. The first of which is raising the $5 million needed to build the center. And with the current state of the economy, donations aren’t a sure thing right now.
“The plan has been put on hold for number reasons, some being because of the approval from the archdiocese and the L.A. County,” Monsignor said. “Another being the financial crisis the country is going through at the moment.”
Another obstacle is where to place all the teachers who will be displaced by the demolition of the faculty house.
“I feel sad in having the thought of seeing this place torn down,” said Mrs. Carol Moak, who works as the head counselor for the school. “The faculty house is a place where teachers and faculty just come and hang out for some time of the day.”
One solution would be to move the faculty into portable trailers.
“Perhaps having a portable trailer so that the counselors have their own, private location to do their work would be a good substitute for the faculty house,” Mrs. Moak said.
Another solution, Monsignor mentioned, was moving the faculty house occupants into the current PAB by Kiefer Stadium.
Regardless, the performance groups would be thrilled with a building dedicated to them.
“I’m so for it,” said Ms. Sandi Roberts, the head of the Drama department, when asked about the proposed PAB. “It’s going to be incredible and wonderful. It has been a much needed addition to Amat.”
Ms. Roberts explained the difficult conditions all the departments that use the PAB go through. The choir, band, color guard and the theater all use the PAB and store all their supplies. Each of these departments takes turns sharing time in the building. When each department uses the PAB they must move all their gear into the building and when they are trough they must move all of it out in order for the next department to be able to use the building too.
“We have to cram a lot of people and a lot of supply in a pretty small building,” she said. “It is all a lot of unnecessary work.”
The new building would be the second one built under Monsignor Carroll.
In October of last year, he said the school had finally paid off the loans it took out to build the Student Activity Center, which was recently renamed to honor him.
He said donations came from the help of organizations, alumni, current students’ families and foundations.
Monsignor Carroll also said the same sources would be tapped when they get approval for the proposal from the county and the archdiocese.
