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 20, 2024

Backstage Art – Fall 2024

Theatres have many traditions, including remembering past shows. In what we hope to be an ongoing feature, some well-preserved show art from the mid-20th Century lives on.
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.
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.
December 11, 2023

Did You Know – Checking in on the Coat Room

At some point in the design of performing arts spaces there may be a discussion of the requirements for a coat room. Buildings are changing with the times, and this program space is no different.
December 2, 2023

What Happens in the Lobby

Lobbies aren’t just places where audiences mill about, waiting for the doors to open so they can find their seats. More and more operators want these spaces to serve a variety of functions, often to generate revenue or at least provide audience service.