Open Forum

We're in the midst of designing a new middle school, and I'm seeking ideas and input from those who have been through this process, have pics of great facilities that they'd love to share (go ahead, show off), or have thoughtfully developed wish lists based on experience.

There are two spaces that I'd welcome input on:

•  A theatre classroom, roughly 1320 sq feet (44 x 30).  Not chiefly a performance space, but a teaching/learning/ rehearsing space.  In our present building, I teach in a small converted auditorium and, though I often feel lucky to be in a middle school that has a dedicated performance space, it's far from perfect for day-to-day use because it's always set up for performing/viewing, which means that when students are working in pairs/groups etc., they have to squeeze into the various corners, spill out into the hallway, etc.  For the room at the new school I dream of something with seating (possibly on risers?) around the periphery and lots of open space in the middle for games/activities, rehearsals, and in-class performances.  The other district theatre teacher and I were also going back and forth on flooring.  Though my current classroom/auditorium is carpeted (and her more conventional classroom is too), the stage in my room not (it's hardwood).  Plus, at our present school, we have a dedicated dance room with mirrors and proper dance flooring (a luxury we'll be giving up when we move), and I don't love the idea of students dancing on carpet (when dance auditions/rehearsals for the school musical inevitably end up in the theatre classroom).  On the other hand, we sit on the floor a ton during theatre class activities, and carpet might be slightly better for that.

• A large stage in the cafeteria for performances, not only for theatre but also for choir/instrumental music etc.  Early in the process, many of us were advocating for a space that was distinct from the cafeteria, but that battle was lost long ago (as was the dream of having a fly system), so we're at the point where a lot of the big picture items are non-negotiable.  This is what it is.  But that doesn't stop me from wanting to make sure that it's done right.  So--and I'm especially interested in hearing from those who have a similar "cafetorium" arrangement--what are pitfalls that we should try to steer clear of?

Thanks for any advice you can give!


------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI
------------------------------

This has been discussed here a few times, and the general consensus seems to be two things:

Visit as many local schools as you can and talk to the teachers and support staff.

Get a theatre consultant to help with the relevant parts of the facility. In the long run, it's not  an expense - it's an investment.

------------------------------
George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
www.georgefledo.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2019 09:11
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: Advice welcome on design for a new school

We're in the midst of designing a new middle school, and I'm seeking ideas and input from those who have been through this process, have pics of great facilities that they'd love to share (go ahead, show off), or have thoughtfully developed wish lists based on experience.

There are two spaces that I'd welcome input on:

•  A theatre classroom, roughly 1320 sq feet (44 x 30).  Not chiefly a performance space, but a teaching/learning/ rehearsing space.  In our present building, I teach in a small converted auditorium and, though I often feel lucky to be in a middle school that has a dedicated performance space, it's far from perfect for day-to-day use because it's always set up for performing/viewing, which means that when students are working in pairs/groups etc., they have to squeeze into the various corners, spill out into the hallway, etc.  For the room at the new school I dream of something with seating (possibly on risers?) around the periphery and lots of open space in the middle for games/activities, rehearsals, and in-class performances.  The other district theatre teacher and I were also going back and forth on flooring.  Though my current classroom/auditorium is carpeted (and her more conventional classroom is too), the stage in my room not (it's hardwood).  Plus, at our present school, we have a dedicated dance room with mirrors and proper dance flooring (a luxury we'll be giving up when we move), and I don't love the idea of students dancing on carpet (when dance auditions/rehearsals for the school musical inevitably end up in the theatre classroom).  On the other hand, we sit on the floor a ton during theatre class activities, and carpet might be slightly better for that.

• A large stage in the cafeteria for performances, not only for theatre but also for choir/instrumental music etc.  Early in the process, many of us were advocating for a space that was distinct from the cafeteria, but that battle was lost long ago (as was the dream of having a fly system), so we're at the point where a lot of the big picture items are non-negotiable.  This is what it is.  But that doesn't stop me from wanting to make sure that it's done right.  So--and I'm especially interested in hearing from those who have a similar "cafetorium" arrangement--what are pitfalls that we should try to steer clear of?

Thanks for any advice you can give!


------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI
------------------------------

There's a lot of great info on the post titled:  Questions in Building a Theater.

I think this link will work, if not you can search for that post on the EdTA website search bar.  
https://www.schooltheatre.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=133&MessageKey=f80aade4-0f8d-47c9-adbb-3eec9fe23733&CommunityKey=35d3756e-031c-447e-a020-14aeb57718f1&tab=digestviewer

------------------------------
Beth Rand, EBMS
Educational Lighting Designer
School Theatre Operations Coach
www.PRESETT.org

- NEW! Chase Sequence Programming Tutorial
(http://www.presett.org/litt.html)

- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS ONLINE COURSE (http://www.presett.org/tmt.html)

- ION, ELEMENT, EXPRESS & COLOR THEORY - ONLINE MINI COURSES
(http://www.presett.org/litt.html)

-HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS and LIGHTING BASICS BOOKS (http://www.presett.org/helpful-books.html)

- THE ECLECTECH SHOPPE (http://www.presett.org/eclectech.html)

beth@PRESETT.org
Westminster, CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2019 09:11
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: Advice welcome on design for a new school

We're in the midst of designing a new middle school, and I'm seeking ideas and input from those who have been through this process, have pics of great facilities that they'd love to share (go ahead, show off), or have thoughtfully developed wish lists based on experience.

There are two spaces that I'd welcome input on:

•  A theatre classroom, roughly 1320 sq feet (44 x 30).  Not chiefly a performance space, but a teaching/learning/ rehearsing space.  In our present building, I teach in a small converted auditorium and, though I often feel lucky to be in a middle school that has a dedicated performance space, it's far from perfect for day-to-day use because it's always set up for performing/viewing, which means that when students are working in pairs/groups etc., they have to squeeze into the various corners, spill out into the hallway, etc.  For the room at the new school I dream of something with seating (possibly on risers?) around the periphery and lots of open space in the middle for games/activities, rehearsals, and in-class performances.  The other district theatre teacher and I were also going back and forth on flooring.  Though my current classroom/auditorium is carpeted (and her more conventional classroom is too), the stage in my room not (it's hardwood).  Plus, at our present school, we have a dedicated dance room with mirrors and proper dance flooring (a luxury we'll be giving up when we move), and I don't love the idea of students dancing on carpet (when dance auditions/rehearsals for the school musical inevitably end up in the theatre classroom).  On the other hand, we sit on the floor a ton during theatre class activities, and carpet might be slightly better for that.

• A large stage in the cafeteria for performances, not only for theatre but also for choir/instrumental music etc.  Early in the process, many of us were advocating for a space that was distinct from the cafeteria, but that battle was lost long ago (as was the dream of having a fly system), so we're at the point where a lot of the big picture items are non-negotiable.  This is what it is.  But that doesn't stop me from wanting to make sure that it's done right.  So--and I'm especially interested in hearing from those who have a similar "cafetorium" arrangement--what are pitfalls that we should try to steer clear of?

Thanks for any advice you can give!


------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI
------------------------------

I have consulted on production space in the past and  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of George Ledo's point "Get a theatre consultant to help with the relevant parts of the facility".  You really need an expert in performance space in your corner.  Someone that can speak an architect's language and will help push all the supplementary needs that are critical infrastructure.  Items such as power distribution (both supply and raceways), the building's structural load support for hanging pipe, rigging & lighting fixtures, acoustics, access to rigging positions and as you mentioned flooring (maybe it's a combo of materials)…

There are many items to consider and rest assured the perfect theater has not been built.  The most important items are those infrastructure needs that are difficult or add after the build is started. It's not the glamorous part of getting a new production space but getting the bones of the space right is vital.

 

Good Luck and reach out if you need to.

------------------------------
Don Keith
Set Designer | Partner
The KEILIN Group | KL two
300 north pottstown pike, suite 140
exton, PA 19341
o: 610.873.2506
www.keilingroup.com
www.kltwo.com
don@keilingroup.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2019 16:50
From: Elizabeth Rand
Subject: Advice welcome on design for a new school

There's a lot of great info on the post titled:  Questions in Building a Theater.

I think this link will work, if not you can search for that post on the EdTA website search bar.
https://www.schooltheatre.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=133&MessageKey=f80aade4-0f8d-47c9-adbb-3eec9fe23733&CommunityKey=35d3756e-031c-447e-a020-14aeb57718f1&tab=digestviewer

------------------------------
Beth Rand, EBMS
Educational Lighting Designer
School Theatre Operations Coach
www.PRESETT.org

- NEW! Chase Sequence Programming Tutorial
(http://www.presett.org/litt.html)

- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS ONLINE COURSE (http://www.presett.org/tmt.html)

- ION, ELEMENT, EXPRESS & COLOR THEORY - ONLINE MINI COURSES
(http://www.presett.org/litt.html)

-HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS and LIGHTING BASICS BOOKS (http://www.presett.org/helpful-books.html)

- THE ECLECTECH SHOPPE (http://www.presett.org/eclectech.html)

beth@PRESETT.org
Westminster, CO

Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2019 09:11
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: Advice welcome on design for a new school

We're in the midst of designing a new middle school, and I'm seeking ideas and input from those who have been through this process, have pics of great facilities that they'd love to share (go ahead, show off), or have thoughtfully developed wish lists based on experience.

There are two spaces that I'd welcome input on:

•  A theatre classroom, roughly 1320 sq feet (44 x 30).  Not chiefly a performance space, but a teaching/learning/ rehearsing space.  In our present building, I teach in a small converted auditorium and, though I often feel lucky to be in a middle school that has a dedicated performance space, it's far from perfect for day-to-day use because it's always set up for performing/viewing, which means that when students are working in pairs/groups etc., they have to squeeze into the various corners, spill out into the hallway, etc.  For the room at the new school I dream of something with seating (possibly on risers?) around the periphery and lots of open space in the middle for games/activities, rehearsals, and in-class performances.  The other district theatre teacher and I were also going back and forth on flooring.  Though my current classroom/auditorium is carpeted (and her more conventional classroom is too), the stage in my room not (it's hardwood).  Plus, at our present school, we have a dedicated dance room with mirrors and proper dance flooring (a luxury we'll be giving up when we move), and I don't love the idea of students dancing on carpet (when dance auditions/rehearsals for the school musical inevitably end up in the theatre classroom).  On the other hand, we sit on the floor a ton during theatre class activities, and carpet might be slightly better for that.

• A large stage in the cafeteria for performances, not only for theatre but also for choir/instrumental music etc.  Early in the process, many of us were advocating for a space that was distinct from the cafeteria, but that battle was lost long ago (as was the dream of having a fly system), so we're at the point where a lot of the big picture items are non-negotiable.  This is what it is.  But that doesn't stop me from wanting to make sure that it's done right.  So--and I'm especially interested in hearing from those who have a similar "cafetorium" arrangement--what are pitfalls that we should try to steer clear of?

Thanks for any advice you can give!


------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI
------------------------------