SHAPE Players......Shaping Things Up!
Since the spring of 2006, The SHAPE Players have been helping to renew the environment within the SHAPE Performing Arts Centre (SPAC) in bldg 207 in order to make your community theatre experience more inviting, exciting and comfortable. Work continues to progress with the next phase to be completed in time for the 14 February opening of the SHAPE Players’ next production, “INTO THE WOODS”, a fairy tale musical.
If you haven’t been to the SPAC since the completion of Phase I, then you haven’t experienced the transformation of the actual auditorium. Previously the auditorium was all on one level, fashioned in a continental seating configuration (15 rows of seats across, with aisles on either side) which blocked some views of the stage and was rather cramped. Phase I restored the auditorium and created terraced seating with a centre aisle, new plush seats and carpeting. This has made the theatre-going experience quite enjoyable, making each performance more intimate while also providing more comfortable and spacious seating. Now every seat in the house is a good one!
Phase II work is focused on modernising the lobby and reception areas, as well as remodeling the restroom facilities to bring them up to modern standards. If you enjoyed a theatre production, heard a concert by the SHAPE International Band, or attended one of the many unit meetings at the SPAC, you suffered through the crowded and deteriorating conditions in both the bathroom and waiting areas. A more spacious and appealing lobby, along with modern bathroom facilities, will make your presence at the SPAC, for whatever purpose, much more comfortable.
“As with many of our aging facilities on SHAPE, much needed to be done to improve the effective utilisation, capability, appearance and comfort of the SPAC,” Colonel Heineken, Commander of the SHAPE Headquarters Support Group, stated. “It was fortunate that we could pool the talents of the Theatre Group, the SHAPE International Band, and our engineer staff and workers in this fantastic team effort to create a long overdue improvement programme; a programme that will eventually meet all the requirements of our entire international community and units,” he continued.
Consolidation of Morale and Welfare management offices elsewhere created space in the SPAC needed by the SHAPE International Band and allowed for a joint effort between the Theatre Group and the Band to address neglected requirements. Phase II began 3 January this year and will be officially revealed on 14 February.
Mr Dan LaMorte, the Entertainment Director of The SHAPE Players, proposed the development of a long term plan for improving the facility when applying for a ‘Recreation Award’ in 2006. Phase I began as a theatre group “self-help” project supported through the SHAPE Morale and Welfare Capital Improvement Programme. It began in June of 2006 and was completed in November of 2006.
“It was always my hope 
that the physical theatre space would compliment the work that is being presented on the stage at the SPAC.” Mr LaMorte said as he stood in the lobby being renovated. “When I watched my first production in the old Entertainment Centre, I envisioned an environment that would bring the audience into the performance. I felt that the physical handicaps of the space were making the viewing difficult and alienating. I am revived by the developments and I can see the difference in the faces of our volunteers as they see the changes being made here at the SPAC.”
The SHAPE Performing Arts Centre was the 2007 winner of the United States Army Installation Management Command (Europe Region) Outstanding Garrison Recreation Program in the small garrison category. The SHAPE Players and the SHAPE Performing Arts Centre went on to win the USA National Distinguished Award in Washington D.C for 2007.
On 14 February you can witness the changes for yourself by seeing the premiere of The SHAPE Players’ production of INTO THE WOODS - a fairy tale musical for the whole family! The SHAPE Players will present ten performances through Sunday, 2 March. “FOOLS”, a farcical comedy by Neil Simon, is the following production and opens on Friday, 14 March for six performances through 22 March. Both productions are official entries in the 2008 Tournament of Plays Competition. Last year The SHAPE Players were the recipients of 14 awards, including Best Comedy of the Year for their production of THE ODD COUPLE.
For more information please call: 065/44.33.12 or visit the SPAC Box Office in building 207 Tuesday through Friday from 1200 to 1800 hours.