https://framinghamsource.com/index.php/2018/08/08/op-ed-auditorium-is-essential-element-for-new-fuller-middle-school-project/
As many people know, Framingham is fortunate to have incredibly strong
performing arts programs and offers a wealth of opportunities for students to
participate. From vocal groups to instrumental groups to our 2016 State
Champion FHS Drama Company, these ensembles help students develop
self-confidence, poise, public speaking skills and teach them the value of
teamwork.
Beginning for many students in middle school and continuing through high
school, these groups form smaller âcommunitiesâ within their respective schools
and allow students to form strong and positive relationships which contribute
to their overall social and emotional well-being.
It is for these reasons that the auditorium in the new Fuller Middle School has
been the subject of extensive analysis, discussion and refinement. For those
who have not followed closely, hereâs a brief history.
Act 1 â âTransformersâ
Act 1 of this story took place during the fall of 2017 and early winter of
2018, as the project architects presented several âconcept optionsâ for the new
Fuller Middle School to the School Building Committee (SBC). Noticeably absent
from these designs was a true auditorium similar to what exists in the current
Fuller, Walsh and Cameron schools. In its place, the concepts had a cafeteria
with a stage tacked on to one end so that the space could be converted from a
dining hall to a performance venue. This âcafetoriumâ design is similar to
what youâd find in most elementary schools.
Beginning in early winter 2018, several community members (including me before
I was appointed to the School Building Committee as an alternate representative
for the School Committee) spoke before the School Building Committee about this
omission of an auditorium, and asked that one be added so that we can maintain
equity across the middle schools and also to support our highly-successful
middle school drama program.
Much to my delight my sentiments were echoed by a number of members of the
School Building Committee, many of whom were aware of how well-regarded our
Performing Arts programs are across the state.
Act II â âSuper-Size Meâ
Act II took place in late winter and spring as the project architects presented
refined concept designs to the School Building Committee. In response to the
SBC feedback about the auditorium, the concept designs now included proper
auditoriums.
Furthermore in an effort to respond to a desire expressed by the current Fuller
principal to be able to have the entire school community (students and staff)
come together for an assembly, the auditorium was specified to have 750 seats.
These auditorium specifications persisted as the SBC reviewed the various
concept options and ultimately voted to move forward with the âFolded Handsâ
design.
Act III â âGoldilocksâ
Act III began in early summer of this year and continues to this day, as the
SBC continues to refine various aspects of the design for the new Fuller Middle
School. As part of this refinement the design team met with Donna Wresinski,
Fine and Performing Arts Director for the Framingham Public Schools and also
Chair of the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild. With input from Donna,
the design team made several changes to the design of the auditorium and
supporting spaces so that this version is âjust rightâ:
Reduced seating from 750 to 420 â For a middle school, an auditorium with 750
seats is much too large. Middle schoolers canât project their voices that far,
and have a harder time staying engaged in a performance if they sit too far
from the stage. Although not done as a cost-cutting move, this reduction took
$3.3 M off the project cost. With this reduction, full-school assembly meetings
can take place using bleachers in the gymnasium. For those wondering where the
number 420 came from, that is the Massachusetts School Building Authority
(MSBA) standard for a high school of the same size as the new Fuller building.
Connection between backstage areas â In the current Fuller building, there is
no way for performers to get from âoff leftâ to âoff rightâ without either
crossing the stage or running down the hallways around the entire auditorium.
In the new Fuller design, there will be a crossover space at the back to make
this much easier and safer.
Use of band and chorus room as âgreen roomsâ â In previous iterations of the
auditorium, it stuck out from the building like a peninsula, making the only
access to backstage being through the âhouseâ part of the auditorium. In the
current design, the auditorium is tucked up against the back of the building so
that the band and chorus rooms can be used as âgreen roomsâ and performers can
go directly from there to the stage without being seen by the audience.
Finale
As you can see, considerable time and thought has gone into the design of the
auditorium in the new Fuller Middle School plan, and all of it has been done in
a very public and transparent way. To clarify an assertion that has been made
by some in our community, we are not âbuilding a state-of-the-art theater.â
What we are doing is making sure that the new Fuller Middle School auditorium
is functionally equivalent to those in the existing Fuller, Walsh and Cameron
buildings, and making sure that future generations of Fuller performers have
the same opportunities to make us proud as a community.
For more information or to submit questions to the team, go to
www.fullerbuildingproject.com where you can find FAQ documents, previous
presentations and meeting materials, and a link for submitting feedback or
questions.
Lastly, freel free to check out my previous articles on the MSBA Model School
Program
(https://www.facebook.com/notes/scott-wadland-framingham-school-committee-district-3/fuller-middle-school-msba-model-school-program/257683058347600/)
and the Cafeteria / Learning Commons in the new Fuller Middle School
(https://www.facebook.com/notes/scott-wadland-framingham-school-committee-district-3/fuller-middle-school-cafeteria-learning-commons/265125567603349/)
Scott Wadland
Framingham School Committee, District 3
Chair, Policy Subcommittee
Alternate Member, Fuller Middle School Building Committee