The Tolman Documentary

[@marknroll]

Having attended Tolman High School and taking part in the band/music class, I have to say, I never realized how great of a theater it is and what it could be if restored. This space absolutely calls for outside vending for concerts and performances! Great video. I remember Mr. Raymond from my last year attending the school in 2008, hope all is well!! -Mark Tremblay

[@Illuminateartsco]

we hope to see that space thriving with performances after the pandemic! we really missed it this year as it is closed and we had to use another venue for our livestreamed production. Hopefully next year we will be back :)

[@jamesl2335]

I graduated from here in the early 2000's and I don't think we all appreciated the beauty of the building and the theater when we were young. We would only use the auditorium a handful of times each year. Thanksgiving football rally, an occasional play, talent show, graduation, and maybe some classes and other presentations. Lots of graduating classes have memories of very hot June nights walking across the stage for their diploma . With no AC or circulating air in the school, imagine how hot it can get when its completely filled with people. Some athletes would use the stairs in the back of the auditorium as a workout. Supposedly there's a tunnel under the stage that goes into the armory next door. I hope they keep it as a school in the long term and just do a thorough renovation. The gym needs to be bigger. Don't over-renovate the auditorium though!

[@Illuminateartsco]

There definitely is a tunnel under the stage! It is full of history, and anyone that walks into the space feels how much its capable of. Our students have learned to call it home, however, this year it is shut down due to covid and we had to use another space for our livestreamed productions. Hopefully it can open back up next year and we can continue taking steps forward to renovating the space. It was approved for a grant last year before the pandemic hit so things are looking up! We love this stage, this school, and this city so we hope to continue partnering with them in the years to come.

[@risqueholiday4788]

I’ve been fascinated by this auditorium since the moment I first stepped inside of it way back in 2008. I’d love to perform there and celebrate the space as it deserves to be celebrated. Is anyone setting up a fund to renovate the auditorium? If so, I would like any details as I’d like to make a donation. I think I speak for many when I say that this auditorium needs to be preserved/renovated so it can continue to stand the test of time-hopefully, for all time.

[@Illuminateartsco]

We love this stage so much - and the school and community there! We do have funds set aside to help with repairs. Before the pandemic, the auditorium had been approved for a grant. Hopefully that is still in motion!

[@Illuminateartsco]

We have a fund set aside for restoration. If you go to our website and make any donation, just put "Tolman restoration" in the memo and it will be put directly to that effort, 100%. HOWEVER - Tolman is currently shut down due to covid. Last year, before covid hit, they were approved for a government grant to be renovated... so things are looking up as long as we can get through the pandemic and see the building opened back up :)

[@DylanJGrace]

I'm a 2012 Graduate of Tolman and this video makes me proud, Mr. Raymond was always the man

[@Illuminateartsco]

indeed he was (and still is!!)