By Nicole Haas
A $1.2 million renovation of the Buffalo State College Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall came to an end March 1, when the theater opened its doors for business.
The 27-week process actually began four years ago with a proposal to use funds given to BSC by the State University Construction Fund for the renovation. It took until this past summer to receive funds for the project.
SUCF is a state-run program that allows each SUNY school to allocate a specific amount of funds each year to building or improving facilities.
The funding came as a blessing to the theater, which used the money to replace equipment not upgraded since 1987.
“Literally it was held together with duct tape,” the center's director of operations, Jeff Marsha, says of some of the equipment.
Among the upgrades are:
- A computer controlled rigging system, which holds pipes that sustain lights and scenery.
- A sound system with new suspended speakers that allow for better sound than those formerly placed on the ground.
- New curtains and acoustic draperies.
Perhaps the most exciting addition for theater-goers is the new lighting fixtures. These include moving lights such as those seen in live concert performances that will allow for a cleaner view of the stage and performers.
“Your going to be able to see someone (a performer) sweat,” says Marsha, “legitimately see sweat run down their brow.”
Marsha believes that the improvements will not only be great for performers and audiences, but also for students who use the stage as a classroom.
Students who work events to gain hands-on experience will now be able to work with cutting-edge equipment with digital capabilities.
“It's useful to know more about your field,” says theater design major John Malinowski. “It's good to put this (experience) on my resume.”
The first event scheduled in the new and improved theater will be “Fiddler on the Roof” performed by students of St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Nicole Haas can be reached at : haasnm15@buffalostate.edu |
