While cutting-edge science facilities and athletic centers support the high-caliber programs of the upper school, the campus lacks something all other high schools in a 40-mile radius have: a performing arts center.

When Tiffany Sanchez, Performing Arts Department Assistant, contacted all high schools from the San Mateo area to farther south, she was unable to locate a single high school without an arts center, Performing Arts Department Chair Laura Lang-Ree said.

Since the Saratoga campus does not have a theater, upper school conservatory students must instead commute to Blackford for rehearsals on the cafeteria stage.
The absence of a performing arts facility limits the scope of education available, especially for technical theater students, who need hands-on experience with up-to-date technology to develop their skill. Additionally, musical groups such as the orchestra, Jazz Band, and Cantilena are affected by the poor acoustics of the cafeteria, according to Lang-Ree. “We’re limited in what kinds of shows … we can produce,” she said. “You’ve never heard once what any of the vocal groups sound like because [the performance is] in a cafeteria. You can’t hear all the work that the students are doing, and that’s just not right.”

While the lack of facilities does limit the extent of teaching for various performing arts crafts, teachers and students are making the most of what they have.
“We’re known on a national level, and a lot of universities come to us because we’re known for being one of the best,” Sri Seeni (12) said. “A performing arts building can only make us better.”

Head of School Chris Nikoloff shares similar sentiments. “Unfortunately, [the lack of facilities] limits what we can do with our talented students and places extra strain on our faculty and staff to achieve the excellence we all have come to expect,” he said. “Our students deserve the best facilities to help them reach their full potential.”
The commute to Blackford for rehearsals proves inconvenient for many students. Kendra Moss (12) said, “Every year is a hassle, and we have to go to the middle school campus and perform in a cafeteria. It’s really pathetic.”

On the other hand, others do not mind the middle school and are not concerned with the lack of a performing arts center on the Saratoga campus.
“Frankly, I’m fine with it … there’s a singing room, acting room, and a theater [at Blackford]. That is all we need,” Sean Martin (11) said.
However, many performing arts students and teachers believe that acceptable arts facilities are necessary on campus, and that the lack of them does the program no justice.

“It doesn’t surprise me that performing arts wasn’t number one on the list because we are the best in math and science, but even so, our performing arts program is stronger than a lot of other programs,” Kendra said. “It’s time for Harker to compensate for that.”

Students who are not involved in the arts program also feel that the addition of a performing arts center would benefit the school.

“It’s really important to have a performing arts center at the high school because there [are] so many students that are involved and really passionate about [performing],” Shreya Indukuri (10) said. “[Building a center] would be a really good investment.”

Construction plans for a performing arts center are progressing, albeit slowly. Following Davis Field, the Nichols Hall Science and Technology building, and the Singh Aquatic Center, the state-of-the-art performing arts center will be another addition to the upper school. Nikoloff and Executive Director of Advancement Joe Rosenthal have held four information sessions in parent homes this past fall, during which parents learn the latest construction news and building plans for the campus.
However, according to Rosenthal, years will pass before the performing arts center is finally unveiled. As of now, the architectural committee is still planning building designs. Fundraising is only in the planning stage, and the school has not yet asked any families for donations.

“[Building speed] all really depends on how fast we’re able to raise the money,” Rosenthal said. The school will fund the center entirely through capital fundraising from student tuitions and family donations. Rosenthal estimates that it will take at least one year to finalize architectural drawings and another year to hire a construction team and to raise money. At fastest, two to three years will pass before the center is actually built.

“It’s not going to be here by the time I graduate, but I’m okay with that,” Daniel Cho (11) said. “We shouldn’t join performing arts based on the facilities. It should be about what we do instead.”

Even without proper facilities, the conservatory program is growing every year. Although not discouraged from performing, students are ready and eager for the groundbreaking of a legitimate performing arts center.

“A performing arts center is the one last thing that Harker needs to give students every opportunity in every way,” music teacher Catherine Snider said. “The fact that we have a performing arts program that is one of the best, but we just don’t have the space for it, just isn’t right.”