The heart of every school theater arts program is the auditorium, and for Norma Coombs this heart needed some extra care after serving the community for so long. Principal Charel Bailey and project lead Kelsy Wakefield received a PEF Teacher Grant to improve the Norma Coombs Auditorium by adding a new light and sound system.
The grant allowed the team to install a brand new sound amplification system and updated lighting throughout the auditorium, giving students a performance space that will highlight their hard work even more. The new setup made its debut at the school’s spring concert, where 4th and 5th grade students took the stage with the full system in place for the first time. The difference was immediately felt, with the violins in particular sounding more nuanced and clear than in years past, wowing the audience of friends, family, and teachers.
Both faculty and students are beyond pleased with the new auditorium improvements:
“I just had my woodwinds concert. And I could tell that the audience could hear the distinct sounds coming from our instruments…and having good lighting is important so you can see the people on stage, the pictures playing on the screen, and how the audience feels about the show or what you are putting on. As a kid who loves to perform, I am so happy that we now have good lighting and sound.”
-Joni, Norma Coombs student
“It was a big improvement. It was much louder and had a nice echo.”
– Emilia, Norma Coombs student
The Norma Coombs auditorium improvements have also helped the wider surrounding community. Local dance schools, some of which students are enrolled in outside of school, have rented out the auditorium for dance recitals. Principal Bailey is excited for the auditorium to become a bigger and bigger gathering place to bring the Norma Coombs community together.
