A monologue from Romeo and Juliet and a medley from The Emmanuel Singers helped bring Emmanuel College’s new $3 million performing arts centre to life.
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Named The STAGE – Student Theatre for Arts and Growth at Emmanuel – the centre was officially opened on Monday.
The centre was named by Emmanuel College year 10 student Caitlin Garner who won a competition to name it.
“It’s such an honour to leave a legacy on this school that has helped me grow theatrically and personally,” she said.
Miss Garner enjoys singing, dancing and acting and was thrilled to see the centre become a reality.
“It’s so awesome,” she said.
Among its features are the 250-seat Wyton Theatre, a professional standard recording studio, band rehearsal areas and a dance studio.
Principal Peter Morgan said all students would have classes at The STAGE.
“Students who undertake music, drama or dance in particular. That’s the focus of this centre. And all those students will have access to this facility,” he said.
The performing arts centre with be prioritised for school use but will also be a space for the wider community.
“Those opportunities for the community to use the facility obviously will come on weekends, in the evening and those times,” Mr Morgan said.
The theatre had its first public event on the weekend with a performance from the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra and the Cindy Lee Ensemble.
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan was excited to officially open the centre, which was funded from a number of sources, including $1.9 million from the federal government.
“It shows you what you can do investing into schools, how it can really benefit the local community,” he said.
“It took a lot of work and a lot of effort by the school community to present the case but it was well worth it.”
Staff members and architects worked together on a design for the centre located at the Macauley campus on Ardlie Street.
