Theatre Design Consulting Services
A theatre facility is not in itself the end product. It is only the means to facilitate the creation of a work of performing art; dance, drama, music and opera; a tool to do a very specific job. The theatre facility, and indeed the performance chamber, must support and enhance the performer. In order to achieve this the theatre facility and performance chamber must be designed carefully, supporting the communication between the performer and the audience.
The building and the design process can be very complicated requiring considerable coordination between the client, artists, architect, engineers and consultants. Schick Shiner and Associates have the experience and skills to assist all the parties involved in creating that very special building by giving recommendations, advice and performing tasks listed in the following section:
- generally assist the owner/users in all phases of the design and construction stages of the project ensuring that the owner’s requirements are addressed by the other consultants.
- generally assist the architect and the other consultants in the design of this very specific type of building.
- liaison with other consultants and review of architectural, mechanical, electrical and structural drawings in every stage of the design process (schematic, design development, working drawings).
- develop room criteria, room details, layouts and finishes, functions and relationships of spaces including theatre technical areas, front of house areas and offices.
- performance specifications for the lighting catwalks, technical galleries, grids and rigging system structural members (in liaison with the structural consultant).
- structural, mechanical and electrical loading for production systems.
- lighting position and circuit layout
- front of house
- stage
- side lighting
- follow spots
- sound circuit layout
- performance system
- programme sound
- headset system
- cue light
- development of equipment budgets
- design of production systems and development of performance specifications for:
- rigging systems
- fire curtains
- stage and house lighting systems
- sound and communications systems
- stage drapery and soft goods
- seats and seating systems
- audio/visual equipment
- projection equipment
- stage lifts, elevators, turntables
- preparation of tender documents for production equipment. Review of bids with the building committee or client. Negotiation with suppliers for the purchase of production equipment on the client’s or building committee’s behalf.
- supervision of production equipment installation and commissioning of the completed installation (ensuring that the equipment supplied meets the specifications).
- stage floor specification.
- stage trap specification and orchestra pit performance specification.
- theatre seating layout and seat specification.
- sight line and masking plot studies.
- box office: layout, equipment and software control room layouts.
- dressing room layouts and specifications (liaison with the architect).
- development of loose equipment lists, specifications and budgets.
- theatre workshop layout, mechanical and electrical specification, equipment lists.
