MELVILLE Senior High School’s new performing art building will be an iconic site along Leach Highway, according to the principal.
The school’s near $5 million centre was officially opened by Premier Mark McGowan on Monday, alongside Education Minister Sue Ellery and Bicton MLA Lisa O’Malley.
The State Government put in $4.5 million as part of a 2017 State Election promise, while the school fundraised nearly $500,000 for the project.
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READ NOWPrincipal Phillip White said he believed the building would become iconic and he really liked the design.
“It’s a design that stands out and is different,” Mr White said.
“When we got the architects, I told them I’d like them to do something different from four slabs of tilt-up concrete and a nice square, I wanted something different that looks special and I think they’ve managed to deliver that.”
Mr White said while the school’s music program had been strong for about 20 years, its dance and drama programs were not as successful.
“Having a venue like this means we will be able to put a lot more effort into developing other performance programs like dance and drama to complement the music program; I think it will see a renaissance in that area,” he said.
“I know our dance drama teachers have absolutely got something like Cats (in mind), whether that’s too enthusiastic I don’t know but the short answer is yes, there will be a big production, whether it will be Cats or The Lion King, they’ve got that vision.”
The facility features two connected spaces for music, drama and dance, which both have sprung floors and a movable wall.
It also has a green room, foyer, gallery space and retractable seating for 300 people attending concerts, plays or awards ceremonies, as well as year group assemblies, primary school graduations and professional lectures for staff.
Premier Mark McGowan said the building was “stunning and spectacular” and everyone involved with it had done a wonderful job.
“It’s certainly noticeable; I know I notice it when I drive up and down Leach Highway, which |is nearly every day,” he said.
“It’s architecturally fantastic but I think the internals are better when you go in.”