EAST SIDE SCHOOL SAVED

Livingston's former East Side School is once again enjoying the sights and sounds of teachers and children in its new life as the East Side Arts Center. The theater group Crazy Mountain Productions (CMP) jumped at the chance to expand out of their old space and into the three-story school building.

The school's gymnasium is now the Old School Theatre, complete with a new lighting booth, air conditioning, and heating. One of the kindergarten classrooms is now part of the entryway, and new lighting illuminates the box office and concession area. Future plans include converting classrooms for dance and rehearsal space. As CMP improves the building, they will be able to offer expanded arts and theater opportunities to children and adults.

Designed by prominent Helena architect C.E. Bell and built in 1902, the handsome Renaissance Revival-style brick and stone school served as Livingston's elementary school until 1996. The City later took ownership, but by 2001 there was talk of demolition. MPA helped locals organize a brainstorming workshop to generate ideas for preserving the building. The workshop unified the community and after many years of rejected proposals, the City in 2009 accepted CMP's offer to rehabilitate the school. CMP opened the Old School Theatre on Oct. 29, 2010 with a black-tie production of the musical CATS.