Meg Murphy
Published: April 28 2004
It has been almost a year since the construction of WSRE’s new performing arts studio first began. Although members of the critically acclaimed television station have long been anticipating the completion of the arena, many PJC students are just beginning to take notice.
WSRE-TV is a public television station that has been airing since 1967 for Northwest Florida, as well as South Alabama. All the production done by WSRE takes place right on PJC’s Pensacola campus, on the corner of 12th Avenue and College Boulevard.
Currently, the Kugelman Center for Telecommunications is 43,000 square feet and has three studios. The new studio, which will be called The Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio, will have an additional three production rooms. According to Chief Engineer Roland Phillips, the largest room being built will be 80 by 85 feet and will seat about 500 audience members.
“This studio will be equipped with the latest technology, and eventually high definition (HDTV) sound and production capabilities,” Phillips said.
The new technology will enable WSRE to transmit further west (through most of Alabama), as well as east of Seaside. Even more exciting, they will now be able to offer four different channels rather than just one as they are currently using.
Almost all the funding for WSRE comes from grants and donations. The cost for the construction of the studio, which will exceed $4 million, has been paid in part by a grant from the department of education, as well as donations from viewers and, of course, Jean and Paul Amos for whom the building will be named.
The potential uses for the new studio are bountiful. Local organizations will be able to use it for performances. Being broadcast across the Gulf Coast will give many groups the opportunity they need to gain public exposure. The Pensacola Little Theatre, the Pensacola Opera, and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra are just a few groups who have been mentioned as probable guests at the studio.
“The idea of being on TV makes me a little nervous but also really excited. People who would not have been able to make it to our concerts otherwise will now be able to enjoy it just by turning on their television,” said Vincent Tecial, a member of the Pensacola Children’s Choral Society.
PJC also will be able to host performances in front of a live audience as well as air PJC-TV.
The Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio will also be available for other special events.
The arena also could be used for the WSRE Wine and Food Classic, public meetings, legislative forums, and educational outreach programs such as NTTI (Nation Teacher Training Institute).
According to Sandy Cesaretti Ray, General Manager of WSRE-TV, there has even been talk of renting the studio out to filmmakers from California.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the college and the community,” Ray said.