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January 6, 2019
Published by Robert Long on January 6, 2019
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Many theatres and concert halls include “boxes” along the sides of the theatre, typically above the orchestra seating. Why are they useful and desirable? Some thoughts on this important piece of auditorium architecture.
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January 6, 2019
Published by Jack P. Hagler on January 6, 2019
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Despite the attitudes of some purists, food and beverage is an important income stream for many Performing Arts Centers. Both within the performance space and in other public spaces, audiences are expecting options, and at a higher level of quality.
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January 5, 2019
Published by Paul Sanow on January 5, 2019
The first in a series of short, helpful articles unlocking lingo and mysteries of the performing arts. First an easy one; stage directions.
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August 29, 2018
Published by Duane Wilson on August 29, 2018
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Question: What makes scenery so expensive?
Answer: A proscenium frame.
Question: Why?
Answer: Because it must be filled with Scenery.
-James Hull Miller, ASTC
As ASTC celebrates 35 years, member R. Duane Wilson looks back to a founding member and mentor in theatre design. James Hull Miller found a different way to look at performance venues. READ MORE…
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August 29, 2018
Published by Paul Sanow on August 29, 2018
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Is it a “stage” or a “platform”? While this seems an easy question to answer, it often is a source of confusion when designing a space for performance. The distinction is quite important, with far-ranging and often expensive consequences. READ MORE…
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December 12, 2017
Published by Andrew Gibbs on December 12, 2017
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House lights are as much a part of an auditorium as the stage, the catwalks and all of the other elements that make up a complete performance space. And, until recently, there was the simple expectation that the house light fixtures would typically be provided in the building’s electrical equipment package to be controlled by the theatrical and/or architectural dimming and control system. More often than not, the house light fixtures were specified by the electrical engineer as incandescent or quartz products connected to the dimmers designed by the theatre consultant. Now, however, the game has changed a bit. Read More...
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December 12, 2017
Published by Peter Scheu on December 12, 2017
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It’s become an all too familiar scenario… A school district is looking to save on energy and maintenance costs and hires an energy efficiency consultant. With all good intentions, the consultant sees three dozen or so 500-watt PAR lamps in the auditorium house lights and recommends they be replaced by 17-watt LED PARs. The district also expects huge savings in replacement lamp costs and increased safety since the custodians won’t need to climb out on planks over the plaster lath ceiling.
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December 12, 2017
Published by William R. Conner, FASTC on December 12, 2017
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The practice and later code requirements to provide stand pipes and with hoses on stages is very old. They seemed to have originated from the factory fire brigade concept, where employees of the company were expected to respond first and fight fire. Despite some assertions to the contrary, they are for occupant fire fighting, and never have been intended for use by the fire service. The time to retire this code requirement is well past, and thankfully the NFPA’s 2018 Life Safety Code (101) will no longer require standpipes on stages. The substantiation for the change, initiated by the committee and not from a public comment stated, ”The variation in equipment and resources is different such that the AHJ should have freedom to make the call on hose requirements. If needed, they should be installed based on NFPA 13". The discussion was, by my recollection, much broader. Read More...
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December 12, 2017
Published by Paul Sanow on December 12, 2017
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For centuries it’s been a design goal of theatres and other places of public assembly to increase flexibility. For some venues, a theatre that is only a proscenium or thrust stage doesn’t provide enough possibilities for changing around the presentation method. In some cases, the goal is variety and experimentation. For other organizations the need is more options for revenue generation. At the most recent ASTC Forum held in San Antonio, TX, members explored the possibilities of adjustable audience floors.
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