May 17, 2021

Did You Know – Follow Spot Rooms

Places for follow spots are an important consideration in the design of most performing arts theatres. It is easy to overlook an area many people do not see, yet they see the results of a well-designed location for manually operated follow spots...
April 29, 2021

Rigging in a Music Performance Studio

Studio spaces by their nature do not have the fly tower found with a proscenium stage. Commonly there is a fixed room volume, but lighting and other equipment overhead must still be mounted and serviced. We examine some options here, considering a music performance studio space.
December 12, 2020

Doing Right by the Dressing Rooms

Performers need special rooms to get into costume and apply makeup. In many cases those performers spend a lot of time in these spaces, so the rooms need to be done well. The requirements are not complicated but may be unfamiliar to those who have not spent time backstage.
November 3, 2020

How Much? The Grossly Larger Space

Our series considering the cost drivers of performing arts spaces visits the subject of grossing factors. Assembly spaces are by their very nature less efficient than other building types, but with good reason.
October 7, 2020

Did You Know – Stage Dimensions

Theatre Consultants are often tasked with helping to decide the size of a stage. It’s important to remember that the users need to know how much of the stage can be used, unobstructed by ducts and other services which may be required but do not contribute to the intended use of a stage
June 17, 2020

Let the Sunshine In – Daylight in Performing Arts Buildings

The initial instinct of many people in the performing arts is to create theatres and production spaces which are dark and disconnected from daylight. However, many areas in a performing arts building can benefit from daylight, including the performance space if carefully planned ….
By By Robert Long, FASTC & Robert Shook, FASTC
June 11, 2020

Did You Know – Loading Docks

Loading Docks may not be glamorous, but they are incredibly important to the success of performing arts buildings. Robert Long, FASTC offers some key planning ideas for Loading Docks.
May 6, 2020

Cuba Reflections

Peter Scheu, ASTC was part of the contingent of Theatre Consultants who ventured to Havana in the fall of 2019. Here he reflects on his experience in Cuba – what he saw and learned.
April 15, 2020

ASTC Announces New Fellows and Member for 2020

ASTC is pleased to announce that at the “Online” Annual Business Meeting, Jack Hagler, Todd Hensley, and R. Duane Wilson were recognized and awarded the title of Fellow of American Society of Theatre Consultants (FASTC.)