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Written and hosted by K-Mozart
arts correspondent,
P.J. Ochlan,
The Arts Report brings you the latest in arts from
our local area and around the world. The Arts
Report offers listeners a unique blend of news and
reviews with special attention to Southern
California artists, events, venues and performances.
P.J. also offers listeners an approachable style of
commentary and coverage including visual arts,
culinary arts and performing arts. The Arts
Report airs Monday through Friday at 11:50am and
1:50pm, and again at 3:50pm, on KMZT 1260 AM. |
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The Arts Repot – 10/26/07
The first portion of the new performing arts center
at Santa Monica College is complete, and the black box theater that’s
being called the Second Space will be inaugurated with a series of eight
free performance events through December 15. The main hall, dubbed The
Stage, will have its debut next May with plans that run the performing
arts gamut including fully staged operas. Artistic director Dale Franzen
talked about the versatility of the intimate space –
“We have a very large – hefty, as I like to put it – orchestra
pit. It says 41 to 45 but conductors who have been
here like James Conlon and Kent Nagano and Plácido even said, it
looks bigger than that. It’s a really healthy orchestra pit. And
on stage the best size orchestra for this space is probably 60 to 80 because
of the size of the
hall, but we can seat up to 100, 115. So it has the
capacity to do either one. But it also is a full Broadway touring house.
We have 32 lines for
sets, we have a fully trapped floor, we have a huge
load-in - so it’s
really been designed as a state of the art theater
to have all kinds of performing arts here.”
For information on the free Under the Radar series
at Santa Monica College’s new Second Space theater call 310.434.3414.
The first portion of the new performing arts center
at Santa Monica College is complete, and the black
box theater that’s being called the Second
Space will be inaugurated with a series of eight
free performance events through December 15. During
a preview of the new space, artistic director Dale
Franzen offered a sneak peek into what’s in
store for the center’s main stage, slated
to open in May -
“I was told I can’t announce anything
on the Stage yet, but we’re in deep conversations
with artists like Frederica von Stade, Jake Heggie,
Kent Nagano, Plácido Domingo is going to
be doing all kinds of things with different parts
of
L.A. Opera, and many, many local non-profits -
dance groups – we’re talking to groups
like Lulah Washington, who will be here. I can’t
really talk about exactly what’s going to
go on that stage, but it’s going to be a
high-profile performing arts series, but also mixed
up with
groups like American Youth Symphony, groups that
show younger
artists, unknown artists.”
For information on the free Under the Radar series
at Santa Monica College’s new Second Space
theater call 310.434.3414.
The first portion of the new performing arts
center at Santa Monica College is complete, and
the black
box theater that’s being called the Second
Space will be inaugurated with a series of eight
free performance events through December 15.
The main hall, dubbed The Stage, will have its
debut
next May. Artistic director Dale Franzen talked
about bringing this 10-year project to fruition –
DF: I was young and innocent and idealistic when
I started this project. You too I guess (laughs).
And actually now I’m a lot older, a lot
wiser. But I have to say completing a project
like this
does make you feel idealistic, rather than pessimistic,
because in a time like this in our country and
in the world, to be able to complete something
like
this is pretty amazing. And it says a lot about
this college, the kind of visionary leadership
that is
even willing to take a risk and do this.
P.J.: Dale Franzen, artistic director of the
new Stage at Santa Monica. Congratulations. It’s
great to see you always.
DF: Thanks P.J.
For information on the free Under the Radar series
at Santa Monica College’s new Second Space
theater call 310.434.3414.
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