DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
DG 1110.3.120
CHAPTER 3: PRIMARY AND SECONDARY USES
JANUARY 1981
Importance of scenery, orchestra pit,
entation. It may have an Open Stage with sus-
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stagehouse and cast size, as well as fire
pended canopy, or an enclosure transitional with
safety, etc., prohibit this use in any prac-
House surfaces, the ceiling turning down behind
tical sense.
the platform equipped with reflective elements
of various sizes. The 1400 s.f. platform (55 x 25)
d. Choral:
would accommodate 70 musicians. Seats and
aisles will occupy 4600 net s. f. on one level, the
Risers required on stage.
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farthest seat about 80' from the stage. Rever-
Piano accompaniment may be sufficient
beration time of 1.8 seconds or more would be
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for very large chorus (200); instrumental
provided by 225,000 cubic feet of volume in a
accompaniment requires balance adjust-
Room averaging 40' in height, but not neces-
ment of enclosure for combined 150 voices
sarily rectangular in three dimensions. Conti-
and 15 instruments all on stage. Larger
nental seating would require many doors (about
orchestra and chorus combinations in-
10) to corridors on each side; total gross area of
volve stepped stage extension and addi-
9000 s.f. yields a net/gross ratio of 67%.
tional adjustable reflectors or electronics.
Small and moderate sized instrumental groups
are most appropriate. Long reverberation would
1.8 second reverberation just right for
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suit most symphonic works, and could be short-
most choral works, could be adjusted.
ened. A rehearsal curtain is probably required.
Substantially good Room for choral
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Secondary uses are possible as follows:
performance.
a. Legitimate Drama:
e. Recital:
In the Open Stage version, a large mo-
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This is close to "one room" intimacy, ap-
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torized wall might divide house volume in
propriate visual scale attained with careful
half, 50 seats placed on part of the stage,
lighting.
and absorption added to help offset 41,000
Room proportions important to avoid "big
cubic feet of excess volume. This would
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sound" or hollowness; a bit large. Careful
yield a 375 seat Drama House needing
location of music source may also com-
electronic reinforcement.
pensate first reflection weaknesses, or ad-
The resulting square plan would have min-
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justment of enclosure and canopy.
imal scenery; actors' entries would have
Reverberation a bit long for recital (should
to be considered in platform design, and
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be 1.4-1.7 seconds) and will tend to in-
traps built in.
crease due to empty stage.
Improbable for legitimate theater.
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Instrumental or vocal recital possible.
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b. Dance:
f. Opera:
It is conceivable that limited dance pres-
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Opera recital appropriate-especially with
entation is possible without stagehouse
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addition (3000 s.f.) of simple wingspace
and scenic material.
and false proscenium. A relatively high
Musicians (small ensemble) could be
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stage or split level construction to counter
seated on stage or house floor.
low angle of audience vision obviates need
for pit.
Extension into the house is limited by
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fixed seat orientation.
Reverberation a bit long-should be 1.3-1.6
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seconds.
Stage proportions would preferably
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deepen, perhaps with an apron extension.
Grand opera not reasonable without sce-
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A dished seating plan would make this
nic element.
more feasible.
Alternatively, simple drapery or freestand-
4. 1400 Seat Music Room
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ing masks might serve the entry/prosce-
An orchestra platform in an end-of-Room enclo-
nium function.
sure approximately 70' wide and 35' deep (2450
net s.f.) will seat 115-125 piece symphony or-
c. Musical Drama:
chestra. Seats occupy 9800 net s.f.; a rectangle
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