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  • 1.  Seating

    Posted 10-22-2019 14:20
    My auditorium is getting long overdue new seating. Any models/suggestions that people like or don't?

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    Andrea Gustafson
    Morris IL
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  • 2.  RE: Seating

    Posted 10-23-2019 06:17
    We are also considering an update to our seating. Commenting so I can see what others recommend!

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    Sara Reuschel
    Quincy IL
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Seating

    Posted 10-23-2019 13:24
    Hussey Seating: https://www.husseyseating.com/auditoriums

    Irwin Seating:     ​https://www.irwinseating.com/facilities/education/auditorium-seating

    There are a lot of options out there.

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    Crit Fisher
    Lighting/Sound Designer
    New Albany High School
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Seating

    Posted 10-24-2019 18:04
    My theatre had no pit area, so we had to remove seats in the house for our musicals. Bolts sticking up all over the place...
    When we were renovated, that section was redone with the bolts going down into holes in the floor, instead of the typical - bolts sticking up so the feet of the chairs could slide over the bolts, which was a tripping hazard while the seats were missing, and risked bending the bolts if something heavy smacked into them.
    The trick now is to not lose those bolts...which turn out to be unique lengths since there is random rebar in the concrete floor.
    Just something to keep in mind, if it applies to your situation.

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    Douglas "Chip" Rome
    Theatre Consultant
    Educational Stages
    Burke VA
    http://bit.ly/EdStages
    http://bit.ly/RWTEOview
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Seating

    Posted 10-25-2019 05:52
    • Chose seats that have dark matte colored seatback pans so the houselights don't make them 'glow'.
    • Choose armrests and folding tablet arms that are a dark matte finish so the houselights do not reflect off of them.
    • Chose seat number markers that are secured with rivets or epoxy, not screws, so the heads don't snag the fabric of the audience members clothing and cause runs in hose, dresses, and pant legs.
    • Seat number plates should be matte finish so the houselights don't reflect off of them and make funny patterns on the ceiling - brass or chrome are the worst!)
    • Choose fabric colors that have patterns, not solids because they hide the dirt better.  Darker colors hide dirt better than lighter colors.
    • Have a Theatre Consultant do the seat layout - Architects tend to use the seating manufacturer's to do this because they do it for free, but the results are poor when it comes to sight-lines.  Just because the seating manufacturers are in the theatre seat business doesn't mean they know anything about theatre!  (You'd think so, but you'd be wrong).
    • Get samples from the vendors and line them up, label them A, B, C, D . . . and then have people 'sit test' them and vote.  A comfortable seat for a several hour program keeps the audience planted and not fidgeting around.  A very important investment decision to make.  Don't disclose any information about the brand or price to those sit testing the seats.  Don't buy based on price!  All seat vendors will ship you a sample for sit-testing.  If they won't, then they are not interested in your business.
    • Determine ahead of time if you want / need tablet arms for lecture notes / test taking.
    • Remember that ADA regulations have changed since the last time seats were installed, so you may have to re-space some seating to accommodate Wheelchairs and end of row access for a specific minimum number of seats.
    • Many auditorium floors are a light color, which amplifies the houselight bounce back, so when the seats are removed this is the time to recolor the floor to a dark matte finish (carpet, epoxy floor paint, tile, stain, etc.)
    • If redoing the floor finish in the aisles, and the aisles have steps, add contrasting color step noses to all the steps so they are more visible in the dark (sadly, this is only an ADA recommendation, not a rule).  ADA also requires that the step noses have no more than a 1/2" radius.  Many carpeted and/or damaged steps may not meet this specification, so now is the time to fix this.


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    Erich Friend
    Theatre Consultant
    Teqniqal Systems
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    Original Message


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