In this age where looksmaxxing is a thing—going to extreme efforts to improve one’s appearance— it seems fitting that Alameda’s most formal and fanciest stage, Kofman Auditorium, has had a makeover. On Friday, May 22, Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) cut the ribbon and welcomed folks inside to see the many improvements. New curtains and a shiny stage floor were the showy upgrades; dressing rooms, light fixtures, and a new projection system were among the more practical enhancements. To borrow a statement from the theater world, there was something for the actors and something for the tech crew.
Measure I and B facility bonds paid for the necessary restoration that will make Kofman Auditorium available for both school district and public use. Over the years—it turns 100 this year!—the venerable performing arts house has hosted Alameda High School (AHS) graduations, AHS musicals and dance recitals, young hoofers from the Alameda Civic Ballet, and once upon a time was the home of the Alameda Civic Light Opera (ACLO), the premiere acting company founded by AHS drama teacher Fred L. Chacon. The 10-column facade is a remarkable exterior look, matched by William Shakespeare’s words from As You Like It, seen atop the proscenium inside: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
Named after Abe and Sara Kofman, the building was built with taxpayer-supported bonds and now has been spruced up, again with taxpayer-supported bonds. AUSD Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi made sure to thank the local voters in his remarks. School board President Ryan Lalonde spoke as well, with a very personal connection—his son is set to graduate from AHS on June 4. Also graduating that day is AHS senior Alana Meyers, a member of the Hornet dance program who performed on the stage the night of the grand reopening.
“I absolutely love the new Kofman upgrades,” Meyers said. “Our new lighting system gives us so many ways to creatively add to dances and illuminate dancers beautifully.”
Equally pleased was someone with a deep connection to the stage, Nick Chacon (son of Fred and Carol Chacon), who said, “[I am delighted] to see historic Kofman Auditorium restored and upgraded, continuing to offer new works for the community and providing a firm theater arts educational base for students attending AHS.”
Alumni roamed the new space looking for memories, remnants of where they once stood or acted or heaved a set piece into place. Kofman Auditorium is a living museum, a century-old stage where people once “peopled” at a certain time in their lives, sometimes recorded in black and white photos, or on VHS video, or now digitally on their phones—all heirloom experiences.
This reporter had the great good fortune of performing at Kofman and entering the stunning arena; walking the aisles and taking the stage was thrilling. This was and is our storied space where thousands of ballerinas in slippers, seniors in dress shoes, and thespians in character footwear all stood while friends and families watched from the seats. It’s exciting to know that that tradition can be resumed and celebrated for years to come.
Gene Kahane is the founder of the Foodbank Players, a lifelong teacher, and former Poet Laureate for the City of Alameda. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Gene-Kahane.
