New theater opens as multi-purpose space

Margaret Korte
Print/Podcast Editor

Construction on the new Frick Theater ended in July, which according to superintendent John Simpson, has already been used for several events including board meetings, professional development and some of Webster’s dance classes.

The theater is multi-use with no elevated stage, so there are many possibilities for its uses: “Sky’s the limit,” Simpson said.

It was built in place of the Little Theater, which was taken down due to health concerns. Simpson said the building was affected by water infiltration and poor air quality, which could have led to mold.

Barbara and Bob Frick funded the theater, contributing $2 million of the total $5 million cost. Barbara went to Webster, and she and her husband have been a part of many projects: Simpson said in the past they gave money for the new wing of the school and have made donations to the Chelsea Center, among other things.

Theater teacher Todd Schaefer, who was part of the project from the beginning, said the purpose of the Frick is to be a “catch-all space,” and for it to be able to meet multiple needs.

“The very first meetings that Dr. Irvin called had theater architects, sound engineers from all over St. Louis. We all met in PV Commons and had a really good conversation about what’s best to make this a multi-purpose art facility,” Schaefer said. The goal was for the theater to be able to accommodate choir, galleries for the art department, the dance team and dance classes, THRIVE, staff meetings, board meetings, and the theater department—just to name a few.
Schaefer said the new technology in the Frick Theater is what sets it apart most from the Little Theater: both the lighting and sound systems are the latest equipment.

According to Schaefer, it’s a large shift from the technology in the auditorium and Black Box Theaters. “No kidding, we [were] about thirty-five years behind,” he said.

The sound system is updated so that the theater is “acoustically tuned.” “It’s a very, very good-sounding space,” Schaefer said.

The lighting system is also different from the Little Theater: the Frick has seven lights, all controlled by a light board. With the new lights, more effects can be created with less equipment: “Touch of a button, I can make that light red. I don’t have to climb a ladder, I don’t have to change gels out or any of that…out of seven instruments, it’s giving you the capacity of thirty-five.”

Schaefer said using the new technology has presented a “learning curve” for him and the rest of the theater department: “It’s a new language.”

The first play performed in the Frick Theater was a one-act called “Hunting Season,” written by senior Parker Collier.

Margaret Korte–Print/Podcast Editor This will be Margaret Korte’s second year on ECHO staff. She made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year.

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