Jeffrey Dalstrom’s heart was touched the first time he brought students into the new Performing Arts Center to practice the inaugural show “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Two girls immediately broke into tears at the first sight of the 45,000 square foot facility– aromas of fresh paint and new carpet at Greenfield-Central High School.
“You work so hard, you deserve space like this,” Dalstrom told them.
That sentiment is echoed throughout Greenfield-Central’s proud parents, teachers and administrators. With GC’s top-notch performing arts programs, the beautiful space matches the quality of groups that will use it.
The “Rudolph” show last weekend attracted more than 1,700 audience members across two performances. Parents and grandparents, friends and neighbors stepped into the glass entrance in awe, found their seats and beamed with pride as 350 student performers showcased their talent in instruments, voice and theater.
Chris Wing, performing arts chair for GCHS, said Greenfield has long been a community that supports the arts. From children’s theater and choir to adult performance groups, Hancock County values performing arts.
“The schools are no different, as all four school districts in the county have wonderful programs,” Wing said. “This space finally matches the quality of the groups that will use it. We will no longer be limited by the facility, only by our imaginations and creativity. That allows the students to shine and be recognized further for their outstanding skills.”
Last weekend’s show featured theatrical vignettes inspired by the classic 1964 Rankin & Bass “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” story. Band, orchestra and choral ensembles performed classic holiday songs and a few mainstream tunes to accentuate the story, while color guard and show choirs delighted the crowd dancing as “misfit toys.”
There was nervous, whispered chatter backstage as teens prepared to step onto the stage for the first time at the 4 p.m. show.
Senior Alisa Owens, stage manager, said it was an extremely exciting moment for students.
“It’s beautiful– I love it,” she said. “Sometimes, I just go up to the balcony and look around– it’s so pretty.”
Dalstrom, director of the show, said afterward that he was extremely happy with how it went. There were a few minor technical glitches to work out, but that’s simply a matter of getting used to the high technology of the new equipment.
“After watching the fall performing arts concerts in the auditorium, I realized this new venue is a complete game changer for all our students and parents,” said Dalstrom, who is in his first year as GC teacher/auditorium director.
The 45,000 square foot Performing Arts Center features 1,415 seats and a stage that is 10 feet wider and deeper than the old one. A 30-by-16 foot video screen can be used as a backdrop for performances, or for events and meetings. The two lobbies also allow for public events– one on each floor.
The center is accessible to everyone, with ramps and lifts to all levels of the auditorium, stage and technical rooms.
Backstage, a green room is three times the size of the old auditorium, allowing for private changing spaces for students and plenty of mirrors to prepare. Backstage access provides an exterior entrance for rolling in props and sets. A modular orchestra shell can be reconfigured in size for large or small performing groups.
Emergency features and security cameras are throughout the facility. Student crews are being trained on computer-controlled sound and lighting systems.
“It’s an unbelievable amount of technology you can tap into with a few touches,” Dalstrom said.
The building project was conceived back in 2018 when an architectural firm provided a comprehensive review of all GC facilities. Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said that report highlighted that the old GCHS auditorium was outdated and insufficient for the school’s programming.
The school corporation did not have the finances or debt capacity at the time to address the auditorium, but that report was the catalyst that led to the dream of an updated space to support performing arts students.
School administrators patiently approached the idea over six years. GC Business Manager Nathaniel Day and Wing, performing arts chair, toured several existing auditoriums and sought advice from other schools that had taken on similar projects.
Day said Saturday’s performance was incredibly moving.
A father of three who has been performing in GC ensembles for nine years, Day said, “It was everything I hoped it could be, and more.”
The PAC is so much more than just an auditorium, he added. It impacts the school’s swimming program by nearly tripling the seating in the adjacent area. It creates a new atrium that serves the auditorium, main gym and pool. And it provides a state-of-the-art venue for performing arts programs, even as young as pre-kindergarten.
“I hope that every student will have an opportunity to perform in the space, even as an elementary student,” Day said. “I hope that we can host swimming sectionals and larger meets now that we can accommodate the spectators. I hope the events that utilize our main gym are more efficient and inviting because we now have the atrium space. You can already see the vision that ouer performing arts team is building for students with the Christmas show. It involved more kids, in more ways than past productions.”
Olin said seeing the first show Saturday night was one of the proudest moments of his career.
“Seeing all of the planning come to fruition during an event that showcased our amazing students was incredibly fulfilling to me,” Olin said. “I have been involved in many construction projects during my career, yet this particular project was a bit more special for me. I know many people touched this project as we continued to hone the vision for this space– students, parents, educators, city planners, architects, construction managers, the trades workers and various vendors – all of whom added a voice to the metaphorical choir.”
The GC school board Monday night also took a moment to reflect on the new space, acknowledging that this is the first time in years that they did not have a construction update and they were incredibly proud with how the new PAC turned out.
“Educators never want facilities to limit the experiences that students can have,” Olin said. “This new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center opens up a vast variety of opportunities for our students that were simply not possible in the past. I am confident that we have the right people in place to help our students maximize the new space.”
The community will also be using the venue. While GCHS groups get preference in booking dates, local groups can also rent the facility. Wilkerson Dance Studio will be showcasing its holiday show this weekend, for example.
Coming up in 2025 will be more performances by local students, including “Little Women – The Musical” in early May.
And on the horizon is the potential for regional artists in a professional performance series.
“This project is a credit to our community and the support they give to the school and the arts programs,” Day said. “We appreciate that support and hope everyone has an opportunity to enjoy what we have accomplished.”
Wing added that GCHS has very public groups, like the marching band. But there is so much more to what the performing arts does at GCHS.
“Having that be presented to nearly 2,000 spectators on Saturday was an incredible moment. I hope it continues to open the doors to our students being seen,” Wing said. “I hope there will be packed houses for the musical in May. I hope we have even more people attending this Christmas event next year, that we have to add a third show. Our students are incredible, and the community should see them do the things they do best, like they did on Saturday.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
Dr. Olin said seeing the first show Saturday night was one of the proudest moments of his career. (photo taken by Dr. Olin)
