Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 1984 - 33

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ninistrative offices. Secure storage for
)rops and costumes is in the former jail.
The original theatre consultant, Jo
.1ielziner, died during the course of the
"ork. The subsequent theatre consulant, H.R. Poindexter, also died before
he project was finished. The surviving
heatre consultant was Jules Fisher Asociates, Inc. The artistic director durng planning was Gordon Davidson.
rhe current artistic director is Edward
)ayson Call.
:oncert Theatre
:.W. Post Center
.ong Island University
;reenvale, New York
hvner: Long Island University
lrchitect:
t1itchell/Giurgola Associates
'heatre Consultants:
ules Fisher Associates
lcoustical Consultants:
tobert Hansen Associates

repair the building in the most expedient
manner possible or to plan a new program for the facility which would result
in greater performance potential. The
University chose the latter course and
engaged I\litchell/Giurgola Architects
and Jules Fisher Associates, theatre consultants, to assist in developing the program and design for the building.
The program that resulted from the
collaboration of the University, the architects, and the scenery consultants calls
for a multi-purpose performing hall
seating 2250. The stage will accommodate full orchestra, dance and other
performances that do not require elaborate theatrical scenery. Proscenium
arch and other masking controls can be
utilized to modify the stage configuration. A tage lift, orche tra pit, resilient
dance floor, projection booth, lighting
platform, and catwalks are included in
the project -as are additional dressing
and warm-up rooms.
Due to the extraordinary budget
limitations the architect's mandate was
to retain as much as possible of the existing building, including its circular plan
and perimeter walls (see accompanying
diagrams). The design objective is to
create an intimate hall with articulate
natural acoustics, viability for theatrical
events and the repose of a traditional
room. While the containment of the circle is still felt, its acoustical shortcomings
are overcome through the introduction
of a series of angled walls, reflective
"ri bbons" overhead, and acoustical
treatment of the perimeter walls.

Equally important is a strong visual
contact between the audience and performers within the large area of a 190foot diameter room. Tiered and sloped
seating inflected toward the stage, two
major building columns onstage, the two
major roof trusses, and special lighting
all provide a strong visual focus to the
performing area.
Construction is steel frame clad with
aluminum panels. Red joint lines between panels, blue trim and runway
lights atop the building give it a festive
air.
A dimmer-per-circuit computerized
dimming system allows rapid use of the
stage lighting system for different types
of performances. To ease the labor burden, the stage lights are not used for concert lighting; a complete independent set
of concert lights is provided instead. 0

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:ompletion: June, 1981
;eating Capacity: 2250
~xpected Uses:
)ance, Opera, Concerts, Cinema,
:onventions

n February 1978, the eXIstIng audi-

oriuml field house at C.\\. Po t Center
I'as put out of commi sion by a roof col:ipse suffered during a winter storm.
-he building, erected in 1970 as part of
student activities complex, was the
3.rgest assembly hall on campus, seatng nearly 3000. The University was
aced with a decision as to whether to
USITT /Spring 198-l/Theatre Design & Technology

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