Theatre Design & Technology - Feb 1969 - 22

Model Showing Space Relationships in Complex: large theatre is upper left, Laboratory Theatre upper right, and Workshop Theatre (small proscenium arrangement) at center right

Laboratory Theatre is a square "Empty Room," with a Gallery Surrounding all Four Sides

CLARK ARTS CENTER, Rockford College,
Rockford, Illinois

The new arts complex at Rockford College is designed by
the Chicago office of Perkins and Will. Hre Building will be
situated on a slope and will consist of three levels with
facil ities arranged around an open court.
The theatre seats a maximum of 570.
Upper and
lower platforms for the stage lift are ten feet apart. The
lower platform is primarily for access to stairs and trap sections built into the upper platform. For standard theatre
seating, the lift will be lowered to a position four feet below the stage and will be covered with seating wagons.
When an orchestra pit is needed, the seating can be removed and the lift lowered an additional three feet. The
lift can also be stopped two feet above the level of the
main stage, and at two lower levels which give access to
storage for props and the seating wagons. The main stage
will be trapped and have 40 counterweighted sets.
Edward Hearn of U.C.L.A. is theatre consultant. Acoustical
consultants are Bolt Beranek & Newman. An acoustically
open ceiling has been provided, incorporating plaster reflecting
panels with light ports between them.
Auditorium. The first five rows may be removed to allow a
larger stage by use of the hydraulic forestage. Rows 1
through 5 are on 6" risers, while the remaining 13 rows
have a 12" increment. Auditorium seating can be arranged
to allow for from 486 to 570 seats. Auditorium will include
a tunable multi-purpose acoustical mesh wall, and space
overhead. The wall includes retractable draperies. Three control booths are each equipped with large glass windows.
Stage House. The
ers measures 58'
any setting from 3
stage level. At its
modified thrust or

lift, a 9' box resting on hydraulic plungwide by 19' deep. It can be moved to
feet above stage level to 12 feet below
optimum settings it may be used as a
open stage, or to service the trap area

All illustrations courtesy of Perkins and Will.

under the main stage. The lift itself has four traps centered
along its apron edge. There are two trapped staircases in
the lift which allow entrances and exits into the box.
The side aisles of the auditorium adjust as they reach the
lift to provide for a side stage right and left. They may also
be used as boxes for a single focus event such as a speaker. As playing areas, they are entered from 10' ante-proscenium doors. Directly above these doors are ante-proscenium
windows equipped with retractable balcony platforms.
The proscenium opening is 22 feet high and can be lowered
to 18 feet. The maximum opening is 42 feet wide and can
be reduced to a minimum of 30 feet.

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

FEBRUARY. 1969

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