By Kathryn Reed

It was certainly a production worthy of names like Nannette Niven, Bob Grant and J.J. Clause being associated with it. And it was definitely an original.

The three South Tahoe High School performing arts teachers were recognized Thursday for their dedication to their specialties as well as their vision toward the future. They, with a lot of help from others, have turned an art room into a theater room.

SMC Contracting, under the watchful eye of LTUSD's Steve Morales, is starting on the third new building at STHS. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Their greater vision will come to life over the course of the next year. They had a tremendous amount of input into what the Tahoe Arts & Design Academy will look. It is being built at the front of the campus next to the Construction Arts and Transportation Academy that opened in April.

Grant talked about taking a trip to Hollywood with LPA Architects so they could understand what he wanted. He anticipates students being able to go from STHS to Hollywood.

With the demolition of the little theater this spring, the campus will be without a theater for the entire 2010-11 school year. By the time the class of 2012 starts its senior year, a new facility will be ready for all students.

The Tahoe Arts & Design Academy had its ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday even though actual construction started May 1.

A little razzle-dazzle from students was the highlight of the hour-long ceremony. After all the accolades and recognition from and by the adults were made, it was time to show why such a facility is needed.

Theater arts have a long history at South Tahoe High. Grant showed a program from January 1967 for “South Pacific” that called it the “new South Tahoe auditorium”.

Clearly, what was there was old.

Three students performed a scene from “A Servant of Two Masters”. A song-dance-tap number by Chelsea Wightman and Nick Kushner followed this to “I Love A Piano”. The high school Show Choir wrapped up the theatrical portion of the event with the French song “Je Le Vous Dirai”.

The money to construct all the new buildings at the school comes from the $64.5 million bond voters passed in November 2008. An additional $30 million has been secured from the state in matching dollars.

Principal Ivone Larson said, “It goes beyond a building. It’s a program for kids. It’s a legacy.”