SOUND
ADVICE
FLEXIBILITY AT THE FOREFRONT AS PERFORMANCE VENUES REOPEN
By Cindy Albrecht
As the saying goes , the show must go on ! Following more than a year of empty auditoriums , silent music halls , and dark theaters , the lights and sound systems are turning back on in performance spaces across the country . But safety remains a major concern as COVID-19 continues to pose a lingering threat . No matter the size or location , performance venues are having to be more strategic and creative than ever in their spatial planning to ensure spectator safety and comfort without sacrificing the energy , excitement , and intimacy of the live performance experience .
Many have found viable and cost-effective solutions in modular components and systems designed to work within their existing footprints while creating comfortable and compliant accommodations for patrons . Following are three trends our team at Staging Concepts has seen skyrocket as facility owners and managers adapt their venues .
Modifiable Modules Demountable platforms and reconfigurable seating solutions have become increasingly popular in this time of uncertainty and social distancing . Unlike their permanent counterparts , modular components and equipment can be set up and taken down as needed , providing complete flexibility to reconfigure spaces for different activities and capacity needs .
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego is an ideal example of this movement toward modularity . Faced with the task of providing versatile staging for the more than 110 performances and events hosted at “ The Shell ” each year , we fabricated a system of 92 platforms for the venue ’ s orchestra and seating risers . The custom-designed system is comprised of SC90 portable platforms , which are strong , versatile , and durable . They also are lightweight for easy movement and can be reconfigured or removed based on the event or performance .
In addition to the portable platforms , the venue also required 6,000 red chairs to give the it a pop of color , and we designed custom table extensions for added personal space and convenience . The custom “ tablets ” fold away when not in use to facilitate ingress and egress or may be removed altogether to accommodate alternate seating formats .
Modular components provide the flexibility to transform seating and entertainment layouts between events conveniently and without major disruption or cost . As today ’ s theatres and performance venues look to maximize use and revenue , demountable systems are proving a wise investment by providing the versatility to turn any venue into a multi-purpose facility .
For the Sondra & Denis Healy Theater , a 100-seat black box performance space at DePaul University in Chicago , Staging Concepts designed a flexible seating riser and mezzanine system that could be re-arranged into eight different configurations . The equipment and components are portable and flexible enough for production designers to create unique environments and one-of-a-kind audience experiences for every production .
Adaptable Acoustics Requests for modular acoustical shells are also on the rise . Acoustical shell systems , comprised of portable towers and flyable ceiling rows , help to create vibrant sound on stage for performers and optimal sound projection into the audience .
In the summer of 2020 – in the midst of the pandemic , we worked with the production team at Gallatin High School in Bozeman , MT , to create a custom acoustical shell for its multi-purpose auditorium . Among the key advantages of this option is that the system ’ s flexible design allows for easy adjustments and alterations as needed . The school ’ s graduation ceremony , for instance , may call for a comprehensive setup of the full shell system , whereas preparation for a student play or solo performance might involve slight modifications to adjust the system ’ s scope and scale .
The shell is also designed with student crew members in mind . The aluminum alloy towers are comprised of lightweight movable panel wings that make it convenient for few staff or students to transport , maneuver , and store .
Livestreaming for the Long Run Even in a post-pandemic world , livestreaming is likely here to stay as audiences have become accustomed to watching their favourite performers in real time from their devices . This means more film crews and more equipment at host venues . As such , demand is on the rise for camera platforms / media risers , catwalks , and stage extensions that accommodate production teams in a whole new way .
Modular platforms and guardrails can easily be set up as camera platforms in a spaced out , professional manner . Another increasingly popular option is a mobile stage . Built on retractable casters , these portable systems can be easily moved within a location completely assembled , saving both time and manpower .
We recently custom engineered a rolling stage for The Mission Ballroom in Denver . The state-ofthe-art concert venue sought a flexible and mobile stage design for its world-renowned headliners and other live acts . Comprised of multiple sections , the system can be assembled to create a 40 x 60-ft . performance area or made smaller to accommodate different event formats . No matter the audience size , the venue always has a “ full house ” look – whether on-site or on a screen – because spectators cannot see behind the stage .
Now , more than ever , safety and comfort are the keys to bringing audiences back to live events and performances . Modular staging and acoustic solutions are playing a key role in enabling venues to re-open with confidence by catering to the demands of today while offering flexibility for the needs of the future .
56 PROFESSIONAL SOUND