December 13, 2024

Did You Know? – To (Avoid) Tripping the Light Fantastic

Audience safety is an important part of the work of the building’s design team. When the lights go down at the start of a show, members of the audience still need to be able to find their way in the auditorium. Steps alongside audience seating have some important requirements.
December 13, 2024

Fire Sprinklers in the Theatre – Avoiding the Common Pitfalls

Sprinklers are important features in any building. When it comes time to install fire protection in any performing arts building it is important to understand the purpose of the building and to think a little bit differently. Coordination is key.
November 7, 2024

New ASTC Members, Fall 2024

The members of ASTC gathered in Lubbock, TX in October 2024 for their Fall Forum. During the business meeting, two new members and one associate member were admitted to the society.
October 11, 2024

Technical Access in Performing Arts

Access is a common concern in performing arts buildings. Often this refers to equal access for all members of the public and removing barriers. There’s another important type of access that is part of using and maintaining these complicated buildings. It is necessary to be able to get to all of the equipment in a performing arts building for operation and maintenance.
June 17, 2024

Adjustable Acoustics

Theatre Consulting and Acoustical Design are generally two separate disciplines, yet the consultants performing the design work do so hand in hand. The architect will be interested in the appearance of these features, and often all other design consultants will be involved in developing a successful design. Here is a survey of what may be involved.
April 24, 2024

ASTC Remembers Dr. Joel Rubin

The performing arts industry has lost another influential and well known practitioner. Dr. Joel Rubin died in March 2024 at the age of 95. ASTC Member Andrew Gibbs, felt Dr. Rubin’s influence at a young age after a visit to the Kliegl Bros. Lighting factory, and that influence continued for decades.
March 26, 2024

ASTC Accepts Three New Members

ASTC has accepted three new members at the annual meeting held in Seattle, in conjunction with the 2024 USITT Conference.
March 13, 2024

Universal Design in the Performing Arts

Accommodating the needs of all who use a performing arts center should mean more than just providing wheelchair spaces for the audience or ensuring a performer can use a restroom. There are others who live and work in these spaces who also deserve a well-designed and efficient facility. Universal Design can and should be considered throughout performing arts spaces.
February 21, 2024

Did You Know – Top Ten Reasons a Dealer is not a Theatre Consultant

Sometimes there is confusion in the marketplace about the roles of theatre consultants and dealers. Some owners or architects elect to work with a dealer, thinking they will receive the same level of service as they would from a dedicated theatre consultant, and possibly for free. Theatre consultants and dealers may each be considered “theatre experts”, but they have very different roles and agendas in the construction process.