Touring and local drama groups will find Narooma Kinema even more attractive for staging shows as a result of work now almost completed.
‘Over the last five weeks we’ve created wing space on one side of the stage and two dressing rooms,’ said Narooma School of Arts committee spokesperson Laurelle Pacey.
‘We’re really excited about the dressing rooms; each has a make-up bench space complete with Hollywood-style lights for up to three performers, hanging racks and other facilities. It’s amazing to see the transformation from what was there before.’
Over the next two weeks the back corner of the School of Arts Hall (operating as the Kinema) will be ‘in-filled’ to make more wing space up top on that side of the stage and a store room underneath.
‘This work follows up on recommendations made by local theatre groups and former lessee Stephen Walsh about 20 years ago,’ Ms Pacey said.
The work is being done by H&A Builders and is funded largely by a grant under the NSW Arts Regional Capital program.
Extensive work on the Hall, valued at over $350,000, began four years ago. It has been staged largely to minimise disruption to the commercial operations of the Kinema.
The work has been done to protect the building’s fabric, highlight the Hall’s significance as the district’s First World War Memorial, make it function better as an arts venue, improve access, and provide patrons with improved facilities.
Still to come is a new theatre curtain with associated machinery and minor work next year to ensure best use of the improved stage which will probably require another grant.
The Griffiths lease the Hall from the School of Arts which manages School of Arts' property on behalf of the Narooma community.
Ms Pacey said the committee is now also revisiting its plans to enhance the School of Arts precinct further as Narooma’s Arts and community hub.
Above: School of Arts committee member Jenni Bourke, Kinema operator Janette Griffiths and builder Harvey Shears of H & A Builders are delighted with the new dressing rooms.
Above: Kinema operator Janette Griffiths and School of Arts committee members Jenni Bourke and Laurelle Pacey (seated) giving the Kinema’s new dressing room makeup lights a test run. The new rooms will provide top facilities for visiting performers.
