Providing and assisting in the provision of facilities for education at the School, fostering more extended relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the School and engaging in activities which support the School and advance the education of the pupils attending it.
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We aim to improve the facilities offered by our Tower building, which is home to our Auditorium and enjoyed not only by our pupils and staff but by a wide range of community groups.
We are hoping that by refurbishing this wonderful space we will be able to offer this space to a wider audience.
A brief history of The Tower
The Auditorium built in 1898, was home to The Tower Arts Centre and originally a Water Tower serving Winchester until 1955. It was then purchased in 1964 by Hampshire County Council for use as a place for rehearsing and performing under the control of the Department of Education.
The Centre was eventually opened in 1969 as a Drama Centre with toilets, workshop space, coffee bar, changing rooms and a gallery area. It also held live music events.
In 1990 The Tower was transferred to the Department of Recreation, and then to the Arts, Countryside and Community Department.
How The Tower is used currently:
Today, it is one of three spaces frequently used by our Drama Department; for teaching Drama across the KS3 curriculum and for GCSE Drama and Theatre course. It is also a space where rehearsals and Drama Showcase evenings take place.
Whilst performances on stage are central to what our Drama team does, there are many more teaching and learning opportunities that the team would like to offer; and the refurbishment and maintenance of the auditorium’s facilities are essential in order to promote these opportunities to our pupils and wider community.
Please help us - The show must go on!
The auditorium is in desperate need of an entire flooring replacement and also needs a total repaint and spruce up. Ideally with enough money raised, we would be also able to replace the sound system, update the lighting rig and install new seating for large audiences.
In villages, towns and cities across the country, theatres are at the heart of their community. Places to come together, to be inspired and be entertained.
Auditoriums are where our best loved actors learn their craft and our pupils learn lots of valuable skills in performing, design and technical theatre.
We would really like The Tower Auditorium to be returned to it’s former glory, as a place where our Kings’ School pupils can creatively explore Drama and Theatre in their lessons; as well as be inspired by visiting theatre companies or take part in productions. In addition to the teaching and learning we would be eager for the space to be a place in the community where anyone can be inspired by the Arts through external clubs, societies and activities.
Please help us to support them and you never know, you may just help us inspire the futures next biggest Academy Award or OSCAR winner. Thank you.