The Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is the culmination of the St Columba Anglican School Master Plan. Spread across two levels, the new building brings together the music, drama and dance education programs for Kindergarten through to Year 12. The PAC features a 304 seat black box theatre with stage, adjoining dance studio, instrument, vocal and music rehearsal rooms, classrooms and associated staff spaces.
Through embracing the sites visibility and proximity to the School’s main entry, the inclusion of a prominent, boldly coloured entry canopy and glazed facade acts to engage the school community and visitors.
Key to the success of the project is the flexibility of spaces that might otherwise have been infrequently used. The black-box theatre with its retractable seating is by nature an adaptable performance and teaching space and the modestly sized foyer opens onto the adjacent vocal rehearsal room to serve as a generous area for teaching or congregating.
Project Manager: Bill Amy Project Management
Contractor: Commercial Projects Group Pty Ltd
Structural Engineer: Northrop Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd (Newcastle)
Interior Design: Visual Edge Interior Design
Hydraulic, Mechanical & Fire Sprinkler: Cronshaw & Associates
Electrical: M & E Design Solutions Pty Ltd
Certifier: BCA Consulting Mid North Coast
Acoustic: ASK Consulting Engineers
Theatre: Design Stage
Photography: Jeremy Rogers Photography