DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
DG 1110.3.120
CHAPTER 3: PRIMARY AND SECONDARY USES
JANUARY 1981
Preferable to build-in pit space if Musical
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Drama is a substantial use.
This is a reasonable capacity for Musical
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Drama, small for professional road shows
but modest for community theater.
c. Orchestral:
House size begins to be viable. With a sub-
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stantial flown orchestra shell a 40-piece
group could be comfortable within the 35'
proscenium. Retractable legs permitting
enlargement of the opening by 10' would
accommodate 70 musicians.
As the orchestra increases in size, longer
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reverberation is generally desirable for
blending of sound. At 1.5-1.9 seconds, for
contemporary works or Mozart sympho-
nies, Room volume would preferably be
50% greater (250,000 cu. ft.). However, this
creates a relatively "live" house unsuita-
ble for primary Drama use. If medium-size
orchestra is contemplated as a fairly reg-
ular event, electro-acoustic enhancement
is advised.
Conclude that primary Drama use is not
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readily compatible with larger orchestral
works.
d. Choral:
A demountable shell designed to reduce
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sound losses in the stagehouse would
make choral presentation possible.
Substantial choral works are typically writ-
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ten for orchestral accompaniment, and are
therefore likely to be limited according to
pit accommodations for musicians. A
string/woodwind ensemble and 40 voices
DRAMA ROOM-650 SEAT
FIGURE 3-7.5
could reasonable occupy the stage with-
out pit.
Decay time slightly longer (1.2-1.6 sec-
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e. Recital:
onds) than for Musical Drama would be
appropriate for choral compositions in
Comments noted under 300 seat similar.
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which lyrics must be intelligible.
Absorptive quality of the drama house and
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Choral music that needs blending (Han-
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scale of stage tend to make recital prob-
del) should have 1.7-2.0 seconds decay.
lematic without electronic assistance and
An electronic system is recommended.
careful visual setting.
Liturgical music, composed for reverber-
The first problem, absorption, is especially
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ation extending 2-3 seconds or more
critical with a balcony arrangement that is
could not be finely accomplished even
a bit too deep. Over-sizing the volume for
with electronics. The audience will im-
Music and introducing added absorption
mediately note the artificial character of
for Drama, the primary use, will compro-
"big sound" in a small Room.
mise voice audibility and require speech
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