DG 1110.3.120
DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
JANUARY 1981
C H A P T E R 3: COMPOSITE BUILDING PROGRAMS
23.350 GSF
18.725 GSF
"Minimum" Facility
"Minimum" Facility
Conventional Seating
Conventional Seating
Single Purpose
Offset Stagehouse
FIGURE 3-15.2
650 SEAT, MUSIC HALL
300 SEAT, DRAMA HALL
FIGURE 3-15.1
sequently no reduction can be looked for in
Backstage area.
These results appear to approximate the Army
Performing Arts program's situation in the early
1970's, at about the time the DOD criteria were
first applied to theaters. Preparations for this
Design Guide indicated that Army facilities of the
above capacities had typically been established
These provide single-purpose facilities only, for
in converted movie houses having none of the
legitimate drama and 70-piece orchestra respec-
stage and backstage facilities needed.
tively. No stagehouse or pit is provided for Music
Rooms, no pit or flexibility for the relatively small
The 10,000 SF movie theater ground plan was
Drama stage to accept dance or musical drama.
divided either to favor the Stage End (with al-
The total areas nevertheless exceed current DOD
most no audience support-only 1100 GSF) or
4270.1-M space allowance criteria of 14,000 and
the Front End (leaving only 2000 GSF for all Stage
20,000 GSF for small and large MDC's, respec-
functions). Lean-tos were added for dressing
tively. The amount of difference is equal to the
rooms and the house would seat 200-250. In
Front End component.
most cases, additional space was borrowed for
workshops, storage and rehearsal at remote lo-
Cutting the seating capacity in half would bring
cations. Often, administrative off ices were shared
all but the Large Music facility within the DOD
or separately housed. These scattered, tempo-
criteria, which implies constraint on House ca-
rary facilities are a serious disadvantage and
pacity equal to 150,300 and 500 seats according
scarcely resemble a Music and Drama Center.
to whether Music or Drama programs are in-
volved. For the most part, cast quarters are min-
The Minimum facilities described above will not
imal-well below professional standards. Con-
permit frequent or varied productions of quality.
3-80
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