The Salter Family Theatre at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) reopened on Nov. 13 with a student production of Kate Hamill’s “Little Women.” Teachers and students alike look forward to the new opportunities made possible by the renovated facility.
“It’s so beautiful,” BHHS Theater Director Samantha Howard told the Courier. “It’s just such a unique, cool space now. I’m beyond thrilled; it’s gorgeous.”
The theater is located in the high school’s Building 3 (B3) and has been under renovation since 2019 as part of a larger construction project to upgrade multiple buildings on campus. Funded through local bond measures, the renovations at BHHS, including the work done on the Salter Theatre, are being overseen by management firm Fonder-Solari, which took over from Team Concept Development Services in 2022. Design was spearheaded by the DLR Group.
The theater was named in 1991 for the family of the late Maxwell and Janet Salter. Maxwell served two terms as the mayor of Beverly Hills.
According to the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD), upgrades to the Salter Theatre included the installation of modernized equipment such as industry-leading audio-visual technology, performance-grade sound and lighting systems, a redesigned backstage area and enhanced safety features.
The stage floor was also made level with the ground floor, and seating was rearranged to create a more comfortable space for audience members and performers alike. The theater can now seat approximately 125 people.
In addition to plays, the theater will host dance showcases, guest speakers and more.
During construction, students who previously used the Salter Theatre for rehearsals and performances relocated to various sites on campus and in the community. Some shows were staged at Horace Mann Elementary School, and BHUSD also contracted with the Saban Theatre.
Howard expressed her excitement at having a home stage so students can practice in the same place that they will perform without having to move around.
“The trucking back and forth has been so hard to do, along with designing for an off-site space and rehearsing off-site and then trying to translate that in the kids’ minds and bodies onto a new performance space,” she said.
Howard noted that students in all specializations will see their education “dramatically improved” by the renovations. Learners studying theater tech will have access to “state-of-the-art sound equipment and consoles that we really didn’t have a place to set up before,” she said.
Faculty is also considering creating a light lab where those pupils can practice using the equipment with lower stakes.
For actors, Howard emphasized the confidence that comes with performing in a familiar space as well as the possibility for instruction on techniques such as developing a stage voice without using a microphone.
“I’ve been making do, but I think this will start to show a big difference in their vocal work,” she said.
For the performance of “Little Women,” which ran from Nov. 13 through 15 and Nov. 20 through 22, Howard was able to make the most of the new space. She describes the stage as a “modified thrust,” referencing a stage that extends into the audience on three sides.
“I tend to utilize all the space I can,” Howard said. “So, for Little Women, we had a set that was a little bit more of a traditional setup, further upstage. But then we were using the [Salter], and it was a way to connect with the audience differently. I also used the aisle around the stage as the exterior scene locations, which was very cool.”
BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss voiced his pride in the professionalism on display at the performances of “Little Women.”
“The BHHS production of Little Women is a shining example of the passion, discipline and creativity that define our performing arts program,” said. “Our students brought this classic story to life with extraordinary heart and talent, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team onstage and behind the scenes.”
Calling the performance “amazing,” BHUSD Board of Education President Rachelle Marcus expressed her enthusiasm for the work that went into every aspect of the show.
“Little Women was beautifully done from start to finish,” she said. “Every part of the production: acting, set design, lighting and costumes was created by our students. It was moving, professional and a true example of the incredible talent we have in BHUSD.”
The next performance scheduled for the Salter Theatre is a production of “The Pliant Girls” in April, which will be student-designed and produced.
