Made possible due to a generous donation from the family of radio pioneer David Kurtz, William Penn Charter School was able to honor Mr. Kurtz’s memory by building a new professional-grade performing arts center. The flexible facility not only serves the school community, but also the larger community surrounding the campus.
In the new 639-seat theatre, multiple levels of control are available for various levels of users, from cleaning personnel to teachers to performers. The stage lighting system is operable from a smart phone, allowing easy access for adjustments as necessary depending on the event taking place. The projector for the theater is located in the control room at the back of the theater. Since the control room is isolated and secure, the noise from the projector does not carry into the theatre disturbing the audience.
At the back of the main theater, a crossover is enclosed by a wraparound porch that doubles as an outdoor stage. The porch on the back of the theater is designed similarly to the traditionally styled porch on the main elevation.
Additional spaces include a band room, a choir room, a music computer lab, individual practice rooms, dressing rooms, faculty offices, library, a recording studio, a scene shop, and a costume room.
With 50 LEED points, the Kurtz Center received Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council and is recognized as the first major “green” building in East Falls.
