DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
DG 1110.3.12Q
JANUARY 1981
CHAPTER 5: TWO SMALL FRONTAL ROOMS
5-6. TWO SMALL FRONTAL
audience's visual participation. Since its techni-
ROOMS
cal accessories were necessarily fairly basic due
to budget, this frankness makes it easy to use
and experiment with. A simple catwalk grid al-
lows ample lighting and rigging coverage of the
open Stage and reinforces the general orienta-
Both of these theaters are examples of small fa-
tion of the Room at 45 degrees to the enclosing
cilities built to a rock-bottom budget, but their
structure. There is a shop at stage level, traps
design programs involved different site charac-
and three entrance stairs from the lower level
teristics and different client attitudes toward
dressing facilities. The lower level also contains
their eventual appearance. Fisher Theater's
a rehearsal space of correct size, plus the lobby
sloping site afforded some concealment; the key
and audience support.
objective was to provide flexibility in the staging
of student productions. Emelin Theater was to
Fisher Theater is constructed of pre-engineered
be built above an existing parking lot and had
building components readily available "off-the-
to visually blend with a neighboring fieldstone
shelf". However, these systems are designed for
library (1927) and its 1966 addition; its initial pro-
single-story applications and compact plans.
gram sought to accommodate everything from
Consequently, a good deal of modificationre-
puppet shows and recitals to theatrical
inforcement for suspended loads and extensive
productions.
foundation workwas required to make stand-
ard parts fit a non-standard solution. One would
Fisher Theater seats the audience in a two-part
expect to encounter problems similar to those
asymmetrical dish. The playing area is very
of converting an existing building, but so far, the
wide; its interpenetration with the seating al-
only criticism is that the height over Stage could
most makes the Stage become the entire Room.
be a few feet greater to separate rigging and
Combined with the forthright exposure of back-
mechanical system ductwork. It should be noted
stage equipment, lighting, rigging, catwalks and
that more time was spent with shop-drawings
mobile pipe towers, this arrangement provides
than working drawings; the manufacturer fur-
nished half the working drawings from its
directors with potentially great flexibility in pro-
computer.
duction design, at the same time, welcoming the
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