West Mifflin Area celebrates opening of performing arts center

A grand opening celebration was held Wednesday for the high school’s new auditorium.

After more than a year of being closed, West Mifflin Area High School’s auditorium is finally open.

A grand opening was held Wednesday evening for the new Titan Performing Arts Center.

The auditorium has been closed since a Dec. 16, 2024, fire that reportedly originated from a lift owned and operated by an outside contractor. There were no injuries.

“The journey to this moment is one marked by perseverance,” Superintendent Jeffery Soles said. “The original completion of the Titan Performing Arts Center was scheduled for January 2025. However, just one week prior to the opening of the center, a fire occurred – significantly impacting the facility, and as a result, the opening of the center was delayed by 15 months.”

While charging, the lift caught fire and damaged a portion of the auditorium wall with flames spreading to other parts of the school, though there was only smoke damage to the auditorium.

“One of the most significant challenges occurred in the winter of 2024 when a faulty battery caused a chemical fire,” stated Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeff Solomon. “The renovation was nearing completion at the time, but the chemical damage was far more extensive than initially anticipated.”

The district faced more than a year of dealing with insurance and restoration work. While it was a difficult experience, according to Solomon, it demonstrated determination and dedication to see the project done properly.

Soles said the setback showed the commitment to a space that reflects the excellence the students deserve, and thanked Solomon, facilities director Mark Zidek, the high school administrative staff and the school board for their hard work on the center.

“We also wish to recognize the music and art departments, whose guidance, technical experience and hands-on involvement were instrumental in ensuring that this space meets the aesthetics, the instructional and performance needs of our students,” Soles added. “Their professional insight helped shape the thing that truly supports artistic excellence.”

The facility is also a key part of the district’s Titan Evolution initiative, which focuses on strengthening programs, modernizing facilities, and expanding opportunities for students.

The auditorium was ready for a rehearsal for the high school musical “The Addams Family” on Feb. 28.

Longtime high school chorus/drama teacher Melissa Prutz told the Mon Valley Independent earlier this week they have around 130 people involved in the spring musical, including the pit orchestra and the crew.

Performing a preview of West Mifflin Area High School’s musical this week, “The Addams Family,” are, from left, senior music student Gina Warren and junior music student Dayton Jackson. They performed for an audience during the opening of the new Titan Performing Arts Center at the high school Wednesday. Sarah Pellis / Mon Valley Independent

There were performances from orchestra students and alumni, a ribbon cutting ceremony, the West Mifflin Area Titan “Thunder” Marching Band and other performances from the choir and the musical.

“It looks really nice,” senior Annie Wilcox, who plays “Grandma” in the musical, said Wednesday. “I’m really glad we have an auditorium.”

There are also two other spaces in the area — a section for distinguished alumni, along with the Titan Art Gallery, which is sponsored by the Titan Art Club.

This gives students the opportunity to hang up their art and sell their work like a real

The West Mifflin Area Titan “Thunder” Marching Band performed Wednesday evening in the new high school auditorium during the unveiling of the new Titan Performing Arts Center. Sarah Pellis / Mon Valley Independent

gallery in a real world setting.

District music department head Devon Smeal said the opening has been a long time coming, adding that the auditorium is the heart of the school. He said he was thrilled to see alumni come to perform with students.

“That tightness of community, and that community aspect is important,” Smeal said. “It inspires our students to continue to be doing what they do, and realizing that the arts are not something that ends when you get older. They don’t end when you are graduating high school or college.”

The new auditorium can hold 1,150 audience members. Brand new seating has been installed throughout the auditorium along with new flooring and new stage flooring.

The project was overseen by Firewater Response LLC. Pittsburgh Stage installed the lighting and rigging, Franklin Integrated Interiors did the flooring, and Maffei Strayer installed seating, according to Soles.

The sound system has also been completely redesigned. The auditorium now features two nine speaker arrays with subwoofers, replacing the previous four mono speakers and creating a fuller audio experience throughout the room.

According to Smeal, they have more flexibility than ever to make future improvements in the auditorium thanks to these upgrades.

Auditorium Director Kevin Kocher said one of the most noticeable upgrades will be the lighting and sound systems.

“The previous lighting system was more than 20 years old,” Kocher said in a release. “Now we have an upgraded control system with more than 60 new LED fixtures, additional moving lights, and new atmospheric effects like haze and low fog.”

Audience comfort and visibility were also priorities during the renovation. There were also major upgrades that were made to rigging and networking systems that allow lighting and sound equipment to operate, and backstage capabilities.

With the new auditorium, there are technology classes and stage crew programs, where students gain handson experience operating lighting, sound, and stage equipment during productions like the musical this week.

“The Titan Performing Arts Center stands as a symbol of our commitment to students and our arts programs,” Solomon said. “It represents pride and progress for our district. West Mifflin has a long tradition of excellence in the arts. This venue provides a professional environment where students can develop their talents and pursue their passions.”

Soles added that the transformation of the Titan Performing Arts Center also reflects their commitment to providing the students with professional, quality learning and performance environments.

This new space gives it true purpose for supporting different art forms, Soles said, and extended gratitude to the students and community for the patience and understanding with the renovation process.

“Tonight, as the lights come up and the curtain rises, we celebrate not just a building, but a promise,” Soles said. “A promise to our students that voices will be heard, their talents will be supported and their creativity celebrated.”

More about the West Mifflin music department can be found at https://wmasdmusic. weebly.com/.