Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre officially opened

The hoardings finally came down around our new Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre in April, and the spectacular new addition to the St Andrew’s College campus was officially opened at a wonderful celebration on Sunday 12 May.

After years of fundraising and a lengthy construction process, an excited group of sponsors, supporters and guests, key St Andrew’s staff, and representatives of the project’s consulting architect and construction partners, gathered for the opening ceremony of the impressive $21 million development.

Following heartfelt blessings from mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and College Chaplain, Rev. Paul Morrow, speeches from Rector, Christine Leighton, and major sponsors, Ben Gough and Gina Satterthwaite, as well as ribbon cutting ceremonies for both the Fife Dance and Drama Studios and the Gough Family Theatre, saw the new Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre officially opened.

After the formal part of the celebrations, guests were wowed by a stunning, high- energy student performance of the hit musical, Legally Blonde, which was the perfect way to christen the new theatre, and set the scene for the creativity, learning, and magic to come.

Rector, Christine Leighton, says the ambitious development, designed by Wilke and Bruce Architects, and constructed by Armitage Williams, is the most expensive at the College to date, and will provide unparalleled performance and learning opportunities for students. “Ngā Toi is an exciting space where our young people will be immersed in creativity in their various cultural pursuits and can let their imaginations take flight.”

A highlight of the development is the Gough Family Theatre, with its sophisticated acoustic and lighting design and seating for 266, making it a premier performance space in Christchurch. As well as productions, the theatre will be utilised for a range of other events and activities at St Andrew’s, says Christine.

The Gough Family Theatre’s major sponsors, Ben and Pen Gough and their family, were special guests at the opening.

“It has been great to play a part, along with a lot of other people who have supported this development, to create a facility which will connect students, parents, and the community, bring a lot of laughter, joy and fun, and spark ideas and creativity,” says Ben Gough.

After watching Legally Blonde, guests enjoyed drinks in the Old Collegians’ Foyer, and the opportunity to tour the upstairs facilities including the Lesley Johnston Ballet Studio and separate Georgia and Jack Satterthwaite Dance Room, which are providing the College’s Ballet Academy and co-curricular dance students with leading edge spaces to train and showcase their talent.

Guests were also able to visit the Blair Gough Drama Studio – a Black Box Studio, also supported by the Fife Foundation, which as well as being used for Drama classes at all year levels, has seating for 50 people, creating an intimate, immersive performance space.

The Dance and Drama studios’ major sponsor, Gina Satterthwaite of the Fife Foundation, who attended the opening celebrations with her family, was delighted to see the studios in action prior to the official opening. “Seeing these spaces alive with students is what it is really all about for me. Performing Arts can provide young people with a launch pad for their future and teaches them so many life skills.”

Other major donors supporting the development were John and Alison Westgarth, sponsors of the John Westgarth Family AV Room, along with the Old Collegians Association and PTA who supported the Old Collegians Foyer and PTA Green Room.

Theatre Operations Manager, Stuart Lloyd Harris, says our Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre will also provide wonderful opportunities for students involved in Media and Television Production and those interested in technical and backstage roles. “With training and supervision, students will be able to actively engage with jobs like rigging and focusing lights for shows, and hopefully be involved in the lighting design process later on.”

Other features of the new theatre include changing rooms, a large workshop area with vehicle-sized access onto the stage, and extensive prop and costume storage.

Christine says fundraising efforts over several years and lots of hard work from a wide range of people has been crucial to realising this visionary project. “We are immensely grateful for the generous support of all those who contributed to bringing this amazing facility to life, from our major sponsors, Ben and Pen Gough, Gina Satterthwaite and the Fife Foundation, John and Alison Westgarth, the Old Collegians Association, and the PTA, to the St Andrew’s College Development team, particularly former Director of Development Miranda Newbury, Development Co-ordinator Mel Rissman, and all the members of our community who purchased theatre seats, notes of the School Song, or donated through our Annual Giving campaign. They are leaving a legacy which will benefit so many young people, not only today, but for many years to come.”