I.S. 217 debuts new auditorium, facilities

The School of Performing Arts & Acción Academy in Longwood says the new space will increase programs for the community.

Lights, camera, action.

I.S. 217/School of Performing Arts & Acción Academy in Longwood unveiled a new 600-seat auditorium and other performing arts facilities last Tuesday.

A $2 million grant from Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr. (D-Bronx) helped pay for a new dance room, band room and gym floor, among the other facilities.

“[I.S.] 217 is a performing arts school, so it’s very important that they have an auditorium that is equipped for that,” said Hazel Robinson, the Community School Director for Replications, who has worked at I.S. 217 for 35 years.

The auditorium, which cost $800,000, will stage plays, musicals and other performances put on by the students as well as host events for the community. All of these are practices previously done by the school that will now have a brighter spotlight.

“It’s important that we provide their opportunity for [the student’s] talents to shine,” said Karen Henry, Assistant Principal of Acción Academy.

While the School of Performing Arts will use the auditorium consistently with its curriculum, the other schools housed on the campus will also use the new facilities.

“When I was a kid, I was terrible at math, and it always made me feel so stupid,” reflected Alicia Tully, Theater Director at I.S. 217. “But in the chorus, band and theater rooms were where I was like, ‘Wait, I’m smart.’”

The School of Performing Arts offers theater, band, chorus, dance and visual arts as a part of their Arts Literacy Program.

“Creativity thrives in the ambiguity of the arts, said Music Director Jose Velazquez.

As a part of the auditorium’s initiation, Velazquez performed the national anthem, showcasing the room’s quality to host performances and the ability of the school’s educators.

“I came for summer lunches, I saw movies in the old auditorium, I played in the yard,” Salamanca reminisced to the Hunts Point Express. “It’s a proud feeling knowing as an elected official, I was able to deliver for this school.”

Salamanca, who plans to run for Bronx borough president in 2025, has been a frequent supporter of public schools in his South Bronx constituency. The councilman has allocated funds for a new computer lab, playground upgrades and a hydroponic classroom to I.S. 217 since taking office, according to a media advisory from his office.

“Looking at the community, [the auditorium] will be a big step. It’ll enable students to stay inside the school doing various activities,” said Marques Anderson, an ELA teacher at I.S. 217. “It will give them an outlet other than the classroom.”