Page 38 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2020

JACKSON COUNTY
easily from any vantage point in the auditorium. Elevator access is available to the second oor for those who cannot climb the stairs.
The auditorium features professional lighting and sound controlled by technicians in two di erent sound booths
and has the capability to use animated, digital backdrops behind the performers. A unique attribute of the center
is the availability of three classroom spaces which can accommodate up to 75 people for trainings and meetings with retractable walls for smaller meetings. A catering space and kitchen are also part of the design.
The center has the space to display indoor art exhibits from local artists and has a lobby and balcony spacious enough
to host receptions before and after shows. Huge sphere- shaped contemporary chandeliers provide lighting and terrazzo oors add to the elegance of the lobby area. Two large screened televisions have been installed in the lobby and one on the second oor which provide live access to the performance if a patron has to leave with a fussy child. The restrooms are large to accommodate the crowds of people attending the events.
The backstage area includes two large dressing rooms with restrooms, a green room with a restroom, an area to construct sets and a two-story storage area.
The outdoor area surrounding the center has also been elegantly landscaped where people may fellowship prior to the event, and ample parking is available.
Blast from the Past
Those who have fond memories of band, choir and drama performances in the old PHS auditorium will be pleased to know that the original images from the end seats have been replicated and now embellish the end seats on every row in the 782-seat auditorium.
Huge black and white wall-size murals adorn both the upstairs and downstairs lobby areas giving visitors a glimpse of the past with photos of Pascagoula High School taken
in 1956; a street scene of Delmas Avenue photographed
in 1907; LaPointe-Krebs House (also known as Spanish Fort) built in 1718; the East Bank of Ingalls Shipbuilding
as seen in 1953; Chevron Re nery in 1964; Round Island Lighthouse, photographed in 1908; and the L & N Bridge (date unknown). Other walls will showcase art work by local artists and photographers.
The Pascagoula-Gautier School District has hired Brandon Wilson as the Performing Arts Center’s new Coordinator. Wilson has served as Director of Bands at Gautier High School since 2015. Once opened, Wilson will schedule and coordinate all events at the center.
“We are excited about Mr. Wilson becoming the Coordinator of the Performing Arts Center,” Superintendent Rodol ch said. “He has done an outstanding job as band director at Gautier High School, and we look forward to working with him as we open this new center in Pascagoula.”
As the center gets ready to make its grand opening, Rodol ch thanked the former Board of Trustees for
38 | April 2020
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