Newton students try their hand at theater design

Continuum

Plans for renovating the West Newton Cinema, developed by Newton North design students.

By Sarah Thomas, Town Correspondent

It's one thing to study the principles of building design. It's another to apply them to a beloved local institution: the West Newton Cinema.

But that's what nine juniors and seniors did this spring in a collaboration between Newton North High School and Continuum Design Consultants. The project culminated Thursday when they presented their ideas for new logos and interiors for the theater.

The students, who worked with cinema owner David Bramante, made a formal design presentation that incorporated an entire semester's worth of work on design, marketing, and philosophy.

"The program began when two of our senior designers, Bryant Ross and Pete Strutt, collaborated with graphic design teacher Dianna Robbins to create the class," said Amy Quigley, vice president of marketing at Continuum. "We wanted to show the students that design can be looked at holistically, and designers have the potential to improve the way a location works."

Quigley said that Continuum approached Bramante, who gave the students tours of the cinema and explained how many of its systems worked. Students considered all aspects of the theater-going experience and attempted to optimize ticket sales, concession purchases, and movie watching.

Their efforts were presented in a 'client meeting,' where Bramante and the students were able to discuss plans and share ideas.

"After the meeting, Bramante came up to me and said he was really inspired by the students' ideas," Quigley said. "He's hoping to be able to incorporate some of them in the future."

In total, nine students participated in the class this year, and more are interested in taking it next year. Continuum said they are currently in talks to continue the class.

"Some of the students that took the class are going on to design colleges next year," Quigley said. "It's very exciting."

The nine students who participated in the cinema design are Casey Bryson, Daryl Choa, Dana Gooley, David King, Marilyn O'Dowd, John Paul Saikali, Tal Shemesh, Allison Spitaels, and Lucien Swetschinski.

Sarah Thomas can be reached at sarah.m.thomas@gmail.com.