St Ann's Academy | Auditorium

PLACES

Chapel

Humboldt Gates

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Auditorium

Auditorium Today
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he Auditorium was added to the Academy in 1910, during the Hooper Wing building campaign. The design was executed by Thomas Hooper in the Edwardian style. Named for King Edward of England, the Edwardian aesthetic was a simple version of the neo-classical architecture that had been adopted for the other wings at St. Ann's. Extending from the south of the 1910 wing, the auditorium projected out along the Blanshard Street side of the grounds; the exterior was decorated with subtle pilasters, a flattened version of the column form, that were also to be seen along the main façade. A flat roof was chosen, in contrast to the Mansard design of the Hooper classroom addition. This added to the clean horizontal and vertical lines of the architecture.

Operetta
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Inside, the auditorium space was typical of theatre architecture. Almost 300 seats, made of wood and set in metal bases affixed to the floor, were the gift of the students of the Graduating Class of 1912.. A central block was flanked by shorter rows of chairs, with wide aisles in between. The floor was designed with a gentle slope, to provide the people sitting at the rear with a better view, but the students were often seated according to height, regardless.

Large windows with coloured art-glass panes were installed at the time of construction. The work is that of A.J. Roy, a local glazier with a shop on Yates Street. These windows were beautiful to look at, but allowed far too much light during afternoons when the Sisters attempted to show films for the pupils. Mr. Roy left his signature on the window over the main entrance, and when the craftspeople of Mercer and Schaefer Glass Studios completed the restoration of the glass work in the auditorium, they too followed the tradition of signing one of the windows.

Auditorium Audience
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The "flag gallery" above the stage was an area hidden from the audience, where costumes were stored and backstage work was done during performances. A projectionist's booth was built off the rear wall, over the entrance. This wooden platform could hold equipment such as film projectors. Although enclosed by a wooden railing, this booth was open to the audience and stage. There was very little in the way of a "backstage" area, but 10 music practice rooms were built behind the stage, on two levels.

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Contact St. Anns Academy at stanns.academy@gems2.gov.bc.ca
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