#AUDITORIUM SECTION PERSPECTIVE PROFESSIONAL#

When determining stage size, consider the largest production you intend to have.

Stages can vary in size, depending on their anticipated uses.

There are many components that work together on the stage-many not visible from the house-to create a great production for the audience and a safe performance for participants. Placement of things like acoustical panels so that audience members don’t hit or damage them is also important.Ĭoncord High School Performing Arts Center | Elkhart, IN Stage We always utilize an acoustician to optimize sound travel throughout this space.

Hearing what’s happening on stage is just as important as seeing it! Acoustics are an integral part of house design-to amplify what you want to hear, and quiet what you don’t.

It’s also important to consider maintenance of items like seats that automatically raise up to ensure clear paths for people to move.

In addition to proper slope grade, other features for safe egress and accessibility include clear access to emergency exits, handrails, wheelchair accessible ramps where needed, and proper aisle lighting.

Some older auditorium houses have a steeper slope than is permitted by today’s standards. However, the degree of slope must meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Most houses are designed with a slope to ensure every seat has visibility to the stage.

Viewing angles are of utmost importance for the audience.

This square footage accounts for aisle ways, sound and light control areas, and entryways. We typically design for approximately 18 sq.

Adequate space should be planned for the maximum audience size you need your auditorium to accommodate.

There are many components to the house that make for an enjoyable, accessible, and safe viewing experience for performances and events of all types. The house is the auditorium’s main seating area. LaPorte High School Performing Arts Center | LaPorte, IN House

Some schools are eliminating physical ticket booths with the increasing use of pre-sold and digital tickets. A ticket booth often serves as a gateway to enter the lobby. Your may also see a coat room or a ticket booth connected to the lobby.Adequate signage and wayfinding to help people find their seats, exits, and restrooms will make for safer and more efficient movement of the crowd.Designated spots for gathering can also be helpful in the lobby, allowing actors or other performance members to come out and greet the audience without blocking exits or access to other spaces.

Most of them will be moving through the lobby at one point, many at the same time. Consider how many people your auditorium will seat.

Traffic flow is critical in the lobby, as it needs to accommodate a large crowd going in and out of the house.

While the lobby is not usually an active part of a performance, it is the first entry point into the auditorium and should be looked at just as carefully as any other theatrical space.

Below, I’ll describe the major components we consider when designing these spaces. They are truly an educational and community asset.ĭesigning auditoriums requires knowledge of specialized pieces and parts-many of which are not apparent to an audience.

#AUDITORIUM SECTION PERSPECTIVE PROFESSIONAL#

They not only host the latest dramatic or musical performance for students, but they can also be used for professional performances, large meetings, community events, and other activities. Auditoriums and performing arts centers are important features of many K-12 and higher education facilities.

Auditorium section perspective