PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL ARTS, MEDIA, AND ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY (PHAME)

PHAME is a comprehensive revitalization project transforming the community through collaborative use. Part of San Diego Unified School District, the performing arts venue includes a 509-seat Theater and multiple Career Technical Education learning spaces to support two career pathways within the Arts, Media and Entertainment industry sector: Media and Design Arts and Production and Managerial Arts. Joint use with local, private and community college theater and orchestra groups, grants students direct access to professional practice, and fulfilling the client’s desire for applied learning in the arts. The theater holds full capability to house both musical and theatrical venues.  

 A major component of PHAME, the Production Studios and Workshops, are equipped with traditional and digital design and fabrication facilities, allowing students and local groups alike to utilize the most current performing arts technology, and provides useful infrastructure for regional growth in the arts. The venue holds the capacity to support the entire production process, from set and costume design spaces, to lighting and audio workshops, to digital fabrication and woodshop production areas.   

High performance has played a major role in the design of PHAME, both in the technology it houses and, in the centers, building design. The building has been certified under ‘CHPS Verified’, part of California’s high performance school initiative, and SDG+E’s Savings by Design, helping to set the standard for future expansion and modernization. PHAME is one stage within an ongoing comprehensive campus modernization, aimed at making Patrick Henry High School net zero energy.