ClarkeHopkinsClarke worked with Loyola College to provide a new performing arts centre that reflects and supports the continued development of the school’s highly regarded performing arts program. 

A vibrant design aesthetic has been utilised to redefine an exciting new identity for the creative arts within the school campus, and to provide an inspiring and exceptional environment to entice students to participate in the performing arts. The project features an impressive 500 seat auditorium theater and an extensive music centre. 

The acoustically engineered theatre includes a wide and deep stage, with wing spaces to cater for both drama and musical productions. The depth of the stage can be further increased by using removable infill panels to cover the half depth orchestra pit. The lower foyer includes a kiosk, box office, manager’s office and amenities, while the smaller upper foyer provides access to the control room and upper-level seating. The theatre is fitted out with a high level of technical infrastructure, including multiple galleries, that allow for students to operate the lighting and audio systems. 

The music centre contains several music classrooms, varying sized practice rooms, a recording suite, staff room, instrument stores, drama room, theatre studies, dance studio and a band room that opens via a glazed wall to an external amphitheatre for performances. 

The dance studio has a spring floor, mirrored wall, ballet barre and is provided with a six-metre high ceiling for cheer leading practice. 

The theatre studies room is designed as a black box theatre with a low stage and can be used for smaller productions. An operable wall separates the theatre studies and drama rooms which allows for additional audience seating for larger productions or the combined space can be used as a green room.