Have a seat? We’d like two!

posted by Lucy2 on March 12, 2008 at 10:40 am

H-B Woodlawn is an alternative school in Arlington, VA. H-B is consistently ranks one of the best public high schools in the country. In 2006 and 2007 H-B ranked 13th; in 2005, 5th; and in 2003, 10th. H-B has a prolific, student-run theatre program which produces 8 to 12 productions each year, almost all of which are directed and produced by students. The 2007-2008 show schedule includes: Sister Mary Ignatius, No Exit, Lost in Yonkers, One-Act Play Festival, Urinetown, Macbeth, As Bees in Honey Drown, Boys and Ghouls Together, Holes, and the 24-Hour Play Festival.

Unsafe rigging above the stage needs to be replaced. Most of the wiring is 50 years old. Students have been shocked. The lighting dimmer rack only holds 26 lights. The spotlights at the back of the auditorium are attached to balcony railings. The wooden seating in the school’s auditorium is fifty years old and is literally falling apart; seats have fallen out from under people and are visibly cracked; some seats are missing; several rows of seats have been removed because they were not salvageable; and, some rows of seats are being pieced together by students. WE NEED 475 SEATS, NEW OR USED! The estimated cost is at least $49,100 for new seats. Bake sales are presented at each theatrical event. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and mugs are being offered for sale. Raffles and other fundraising events are being sponsored by the Drama Boosters to raise additional money. We are trying everything. Please let us know if you can be of help, or have any ideas to get us any closer to our goals.

Comments (23)

biograph68
biograph68 on March 12, 2008 at 1:39 pm

If your stage lighting wiring is 50 years old it likely has asbestos coated wires (especially older stage lights). Being most school districts take the health risks of asbestos seriously, this may work to your advantage to at least get money to rewire the lighting. Of course, it could also backfire and they could remove the lighting with no replacement. Be careful and best of luck on getting your theater back in shape.

jamesr3192
jamesr3192 on March 12, 2008 at 4:41 pm

Below is info on a person in Michigan who has 400 brand new theatre seats in storage in their original boxes
there are 400 seats, and they are in Auburn Hills, Michigan..my phone at the office is: 248-738-0600, my cell is 248-408-0274..hope this helps you !!!!

Good luck
Jim Richardson

Lucy2
Lucy2 on March 12, 2008 at 9:15 pm

Well, I certainly am interested in this story. I left a message at the office number and hope to hear something. Thanks Jim.

Lucy2
Lucy2 on March 12, 2008 at 9:39 pm

Yes, we might be on to something. Thanks for hooking me up!
Lucy

Lucy2
Lucy2 on March 12, 2008 at 10:02 pm

We are counting on the county to definitely take care of the safety related issues. We raised money to replace shredded stage curtains and the PTA bought a new sound system for us. It is the seats we, as parents, are trying to provide.

JMassie
JMassie on June 7, 2008 at 10:45 am

I’d like to help with dimming, fixtures etc. Email me at

bobyanghq
bobyanghq on July 16, 2008 at 1:07 am

$49,100 for 475 seats is ok for us.
We are a chinese seat factory. Can provide you Chinese low-price seats and other related products.
Please e-mail me at
and our website is: www.kangdi.cn

Lucy2
Lucy2 on July 16, 2008 at 6:41 pm

sorry Mr. Yang but we don’t have $49,100. That is why I wrote this blog asking for free or cheap seats.

bobyang
bobyang on July 17, 2008 at 3:54 am

Oh, It has been more than four months since you posted this topic here. I be a little surprised to know you still have not finish this project.
I will be very glad if i can contribute some to your school.
You can contact me that now we have some discount seats which are just about USD 55.00. Plus the shipment cost to U.S. from China, i am sure that the price also can be lower than USD 70.00.
So the total cost will be within 70.00*475=$33,250. Maybe it can be much lower than this figure.
I hope you can contact me, it can cost much lower to buy the seats directly from our Chinese factory.
We have sold many seats to North America, pls do not worry about our seat quality.
or

bobyanghq
bobyanghq on July 23, 2008 at 9:02 pm

We have a discount seat model which is just about USD 25.00. to add the sea freight cost, i am sure the price will still under USD 35.00.

35.00*475=16,625. How about this budget?

Lucy2
Lucy2 on July 23, 2008 at 10:15 pm

now we are talking…but I also have to add installation costs that are $16-20 each

bobyang
bobyang on July 23, 2008 at 11:04 pm

I do not know the installation costs in U.S.. Is it so high of $16-20 each.
The seats are very easy to install, however we can not come to your place to install fro free.
I just can provide low-cost seat to meet your budget.
No matter how much the installation costs, it is necessary. So you should try to find the suitable seats firstly.

P.S.: maybe your students can install the seats by themselves, which can be a good experience.

ifemorena
ifemorena on August 9, 2008 at 5:03 pm

Hi Lucy,

Did you go for the Kangdi seats? I am considering them and would love your feedback.

ifemorena

Lucy2
Lucy2 on August 10, 2008 at 3:47 pm

no, we did not. they look fine! we just do not have the money yet.

Lucy2
Lucy2 on October 30, 2008 at 10:35 pm

does anybody know anything about refurbishing the old wooden seats?

bobyang
bobyang on October 30, 2008 at 10:38 pm

I have got the information from USA Customs that the Import Duty for our seat is FREE.
This is a good news, if you still need our new seat, please contact me.

B.regards,
Bob Yang
Hebei Shuaikang Seat Co., Ltd.


Xiong County, Baoding City, 86-312-5717798

Hebei Province, China 071800 www.kangdi.cn

MSN: SKYPE: bob.yanghq


theatreseats
theatreseats on November 16, 2008 at 11:51 am

I may have used seating that you can afford. Please contact me at 917 880-9664. Lillian

Lucy2
Lucy2 on November 23, 2008 at 7:43 am

Thanks. We are essentially on hold because we have no money currently to have any seats installed. It costs about $16-20 each for installation. Thank you kindly for your offer.

DonHirsch
DonHirsch on March 6, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Lucy,
I have a client with 500 chairs they would like to give away. They would consider paying shipping expenses.
E-mail

Lucy2
Lucy2 on March 6, 2009 at 4:22 pm

can you tell me more?

DonHirsch
DonHirsch on March 23, 2009 at 8:03 am

Lucy,

Call me about these seats – 802.223.6632

Lucy2
Lucy2 on March 24, 2009 at 7:58 pm

I can call you Thurs

keithrankin70
keithrankin70 on August 8, 2009 at 3:59 am

Always have plenty of inventory of surplus seating. Our surplus seating on a scale of 1-10 always an 8 or better, no junk. contact us at .com for photos and Info.

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