Theatre Design Portfolio
Edgewood College, Madison WI
Edgewood College had a very active theatre program but needed better and more flexible space after years of working in a basement. Bill Conner Associates LLC worked with architects Potter Lawson to design a new home for the Department of Theatre Arts. This flexible space is in a new Center for Visual and Theatre Arts which is now known as “The Stream”. The space allowed for theatre function was very compact and creative solutions were required.
Taking a step beyond the basic black box theatre space, this facility has catwalks to improve access to lighting and for ad hoc rigging. Because this is an educational facility, the faculty also wanted to include some rigging which could be used for both teaching and production. Two motorized line sets are included at one end of the room, near the scene shop entry. Seating configuration is easily changed from end stage to thrust to arena or any thing else the users dream. A side gallery for circulation at stage level from the dressing area makes entrances more convenient for performers.
Music Instruction Building – Eastern New Mexico University, Portales NM
[Photo Credit: Courtesy of Van H. Gilbert Architect PC]
Van H. Gilbert Architects of Albuquerque contracted BCA to assist with the design of a remodeled Buchanan Recital Hall at ENMU. The existing room did not support the mission of the Music Department and required a complete remodel. Also in the scope of work was an addition to house a new music rehearsal room and other support spaces.
BCA designed the auditorium space including new seating and stage arrangements. Working with the acousticians Stan Roller Associates, a reflector ceiling was designed with integrated house and stage lighting. A new dimmer rack with control stations was also included. In the music rehearsal space a system of adjustable acoustic curtains surrounds the room, allowing the users to tailor the reverberation time within the room to their needs.
This project was completed in 2010.
Community Education Center – Heartland Community College, Normal IL
[Photo Credit: BLDD Architects]
The Community Education Center at Heartland Community College is a 36,000SF multi-purpose auditorium building designed by BLDD Architects.
A small 434-seat auditorium features an asymmetrical stage and seating plan designed for lecture, assembly and presentation. The lighting is integrated with the AV system for one-touch operation of lighting, video and audio controls. BCA provided the theatrical controls and architectural lighting designs for the auditorium, including LED cove lighting. Rigging equipment includes fixed curtains and tracks onstage, a motorized front of house truss hoist and motorized acoustic curtains.
Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX
Working as the theatre consultant to Studio Red Architects of Houston, Bill Conner Associates LLC provided design services for two performance spaces. The new Cultural Arts Center for the campus includes a 1,200-seat theatre for large scale performances. The smaller 365-seat chapel/recital hall includes a round floor plan and a vast expanse of windows. Motorized curtains concealed behind decorative screens in this smaller hall help control sound absorption. BCA provided the rigging, curtains, and lighting as well as seating design services for this project.
Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
Architect Robert G. Bohlman selected Bill Conner Associates LLC as theatre consultant for this 66,000 square-foot university chapel situated at the center and main entrance of the campus. It will serve for twice weekly all-campus chapel services as well as hosting cultural events originated by the university and a guest artist series. A split level design helps divide the seating into smaller areas as well as provide closer reflective surfaces, space for air distribution and support space. The facility includes a 3,000 seat chapel, rear projection rooms, warm-up rooms, an organ loft and control rooms.