$47 million performing arts centre opens at Knox Grammar School

A $47 million performing arts centre has opened at Knox Grammar School which boasts a 750-seat auditorium among other state-of-the-art facilities.

The new performing arts centre lit up at Knox Grammar School.

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A $47 million performing arts centre has opened at Knox Grammar School in Wahroonga which boasts a 750-seat auditorium among other state-of-the-art facilities.

The Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre was officially opened last month at the school’s senior campus.

The private, all-boys’ school is already planning its first major production to be staged in the centre, Oliver!, which is a nod to the school’s first musical performed in 1973.

The centre being officially opened.

Headmaster Scott James said a performing arts centre was a wonderful addition to the school.

“Research has consistently shown the many benefits that engagement in the performing arts has for young people in developing their creativity, emotional intelligence and well being,” he said.

“This incredible new facility offers a groundbreaking range of performing arts spaces and programs which will give each student at Knox the opportunity to fulfil his or her creative potential through music, drama, choir, dance, technical production and everything in between.”

The grand opening of the new performing arts centre at Knox Grammar School.

The school said it raised the money for the centre through parent contributions and donations.

The centre features a 750-seat auditorium, a 165-seat drama theatre, classrooms, musical rehearsal rooms, a purpose-built dance studio, recording studio, and soundproof teaching rooms for one-on-one tuition.

The facility also features a “junior academy” for Year 7 and 8 students made up of a lounge for students, a cafe and an outdoor recreation area with table tennis, handball and basketball courts.

The grand opening outside the new performing arts centre.

“Grounded in Stanford University psychology professor Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory the junior academy will be a place that allows Years 7 and 8 students to have a common and shared area of the school in which they can hold classes, engage in recreational play, congregate and build upon a shared identity.”

The musical Oliver will be on show in November at the school.

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