This fall, Oakland Tech’s auditorium will be undergoing major renovations to bring it from the 1960s into the 21st century. From broken seats to faded carpet, it is clear that a makeover is long overdue.
From October 20 to the end of Thanksgiving Break, the auditorium will be receiving new seats, new carpeting, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls. This has been a long time coming, as the seats have not been updated since the auditorium’s opening in 1959—making them over 65 years old!
For this to be able to happen, Oakland Tech has the Auditorium Committee to thank. The Auditorium Committee is a dedicated group of staff, parents, students, and community members that have worked to maintain and improve the Tech auditorium for 20 years. They started in 2004, raising money to try and save the after-school drama program. At that point, the auditorium was still being used as a storage space!
That sparked the first of three phases of auditorium renovations. The first included simple tasks like fixing the curtains, cleaning up, and addressing safety concerns. The second involved installation of sound and lighting systems, acoustic panels, and stage lighting. Now, the committee is in the last part of the final stage. In total, the price tag of the three phases is estimated to reach a whopping $1.4 million, with roughly $1 million having already been spent in the first two phases.
To get funding for this monumental project, the Auditorium Committee organized a campaign aptly named “Take a Seat!” This campaign raised money by allowing community members to donate $250 and receive a custom plaque on one of the new seats. The Auditorium Committee also worked in partnership with OUSD, local businesses, and foundations to reach their fundraising goal. Generous donors will hopefully be able to officially see their contributions this December at a “come and see” event organized by the Auditorium Committee.
“I am just so impressed and so thankful that there are people in our community who saw something and wanted to do something about it, and then they did!” remarks Oakland Tech parent and Auditorium Committee Chair Amy Hood. “This is what community does.”
However, the renovations do create challenges for Oakland Tech’s drama program. For instance, Mr. Fern’s Intro to Theatre class has had to shift focus due to limited stage and theatre access.
“Oftentimes, drama classes would be building up towards some sort of in-the-auditorium performance by now,” says Mr. Fern. “It’s definitely made us have to get a little creative with what we do first semester.”
Additionally, OakTechRep faces roadblocks for the bi-annual shows. The fall play usually occurs in November, but the renovations have caused it to be pushed back to January so that it can still be enjoyed in the auditorium.
Despite these challenges, the much-needed renovations are expected to be beneficial to Oakland Tech’s performing arts.
“It is extremely exciting…I would say the biggest word I would use would be it’s a relief,” says Mr. Fern. “I’m really relieved because I think that people will feel comfortable sitting anywhere in the theatre now.”