[Usittne] Help on new spaces

[Timothy McKenna]

Hi Arthur;

Tim McKenna here, formerly of Holyoke Community College and NETC, now of Television, Radio, Film, at Emerson College.  

I was TD at Holyoke Community College for 15 years from 1982 - 1997, and the Forum Auditorium there is a beautiful example of a modified thrust stage which is used for theater, music, admin, and academic departments.  

The seating is 316, and has a steep rake from the back of the house to the front row, making it ideal for video, as well as stage drama and music.  The acoustics are excellent.  There is an orchestra pit that can be revealed by removing heavy platforms.  

Steve Bailey is the TD now, you two could prosper by a mutual meeting.  He is at sbailey at hcc.mass.edu, 413-538-7000.  

I hope this email finds you well, and I am looking forward to seeing your new spaces eventually.  

Thanks - Tim McKenna 


> ----------
> From: 	usittne-bounces at mit.edu on behalf of Dirks, Arthur
> Reply To: 	USITT New England Section Mail List
> Sent: 	Monday, March 1, 2004 1:27 PM
> To: 	USITTNE at mit.edu
> Subject: 	[Usittne] Help on new spaces
> 
> Greetings. We've been teased with an architectural planner for a new
> arts building on campus. I need to get some optimal requirements to him
> and need a little help deciding what we want. We need two performing
> spaces:
> 
> -a 300-400 seat traditional hall, ideally convertible between proscenium
> and somewhat thrust (more than just extended apron).
> -a black box that will seat 200 in half the space.
> 
> I have the following questions:
> 
> -Where is there a prosc/thrust hall of comparable size that works well?
> -Where is there a really good working black box of comparable size?
> 
> Location could be anywhere in US, but preferably in the NY-New England
> region. 
> 
> -What good advice does anyone have for us as we start rough-specking our
> spaces? Things to avoid absolutely? [Certainly I am working to get a
> consultant, but at this phase it's not an option.]
> 
> -What books or other resources would people point me to (besides
> Izenour's 1977 book)?
> 
> Thanks for any help.
> 
> Arthur Dirks
> Chairperson, Designer/Faculty TD
> Bridgewater State College Theater
> mailto:adirks at bridgew.edu
> 
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