by Katie Parkinson, photos by Lauren Langdon
[The new pulley system] will be a great addition to the shows. I’m so excited. – Gabby Ferro, senior
Since the beginning of school Aug. 15, A to Z Theatrical has been working on repairs for the stage in the M&A auditorium. According to drama teacher Shana Prentiss, all of the curtains except for the front are being replaced. A new pulley system, which moves the curtains up and down, is also being installed. This will also now allow for sets to be raised all the way up when not in use.
“It isn’t necessary, but it’s very helpful because we don’t have a lot of backstage space,” Prentiss said. “But we do have a lot of fly space, so it will be incredibly helpful to able to use that.”
According to STA president Nan Bone, the stage was on the school’s checklist of repairs to make, so they contacted A to Z Theatrical, a company that has worked on the STA stage since the 1900s, to come in and evaluate the situation. A to Z Theatrical then informed the school the pulley system was so old it could become a safety issue.
The administration then went to the McGee family trust to ask for a grant, according to Bone.
“They came out and did their own evaluation because they always like to do something that is student related in how it will affect St. Teresa’s,” Bone said. “They liked the project and thought it would make our theater productions even more special.”
According to Bone, the renovations were supposed to be completed in mid to late September, however the pulleys A to Z Theatrical had ordered didn’t come in on time, delaying the whole process.
“It’s kind of like work on your home,” Bone said. “You wait, and then three weeks later, you’re still waiting.”
According to Bone, the new deadline was Oct. 2 because of several activities that required the use of the auditorium, including the Fall Music Festival, Auction skit and homecoming mass. However, once all the repairs are done, Bone thinks it will have been well worth it.
“[Being able to fly sets] is going to be awesome,” senior Gabby Ferro said. “It’s a great use of the space that we already have, and I just think it’ll be very good.”
