project: West Ashley High School Theatre
owner: Charleston County School District
location: West Ashley, South Carolina
architect: LS3P & Associates
Overview
Located on a beautiful campus in West Ashley, South Carolina, the new West Ashley High School boasts an 800 seat theatre for both theatrical and music presentations. The theatre features a full height fly loft, orchestra pit, scene shop, dressing rooms, and control booths. Latest technologies are used in the lighting, sound, and rigging systems.
Design Charge
The desire of the architect and owner was to have a modern theatre with an open feeling. The maroon seating matches the grand drape and works in conjunction with other bold colors in the space including purple structural members and catwalks above the suspended ceiling clouds. Encore Principal Alan Lewis was involved in the original planning and design of the theatre's rigging systems as well as general space planning before leaving that firm to form Encore Design Group. Encore provided the final inspection and testing for the facility.
Space Planning
Space planning was provided to ensure that all performance space, audience spaces, and technical spaces were appropriate for the functions of a theatrical facility. Included was the location and consulting for catwalks, control booths, dressing rooms, stage and backstage areas, as well as scene shop area. Access to most areas of the theatre is easily accomplished for technical and stage staff by way of a mezzanine that encompasses the theatre. An elevated control booth provides good sightlines the the stage for the sound, lighting, and followspot operators.
Stagehouse Gridiron
Above the stage is a full height fly loft complete with a gridiron. This gridiron allows access to the rigging equipment mounted to the underside of the structural members above. All rigging areas including the catwalks and gridiron are accessible by means of a generous backstage stairwell.
Counterweight Rigging Systems
The theatre's rigging system is a combination of counterweight rigging and motorized rigging linsets. The counterweight rigging system is located on the stage right wall with an elevated fly gallery to allow maximum backstage wing space. This single purchase system serves the theatre's draperies, projection screen, cyclorama, fire safety curtain, and all spare battens that may be used for scenic or drapery purposes for various productions. A loading gallery is located above the fly gallery to serve as storage of spare counterweights as well as a location to load the counterweight arbors.
Motorized Rigging System
In addition to the 20 counterweight linesets, 3 motorized linesets are provided for the lifting of the lighting electric battens. The motorized linesets are powered by lineshaft hoists mounted to structural steel above the gridiron. These linesets are controlled from a control panel located on stage right. The control panel features programmable trim settings as well as safety devices to ensure proper and safe operation of the linesets.
Orchestra Shell
The stage is provided with a series of overhead acoustic clouds and temporary portable shell walls until a permanent set of orchestra shell walls are purchased. In compliance with local code requirements, the three orchestra clouds over the stage were fitted with automated rotating actuators. These actuators allow the clouds to be electrically rotated between their vertical and horizontal positions, and anywhere in between. These actuators will also rotate the panels into their vertical position if the fire alarm is activated, thus allowing the overhead dousing system to not be hindered by the clouds while they are in their horizontal (or performance) positions.
Lighting System
A modern, computerized lighting system utilizing DMX standard was provided for lighting of the stage, the orchestra shell, and the audience houselights. Lighting positions include front of house, over stage electrics, and a cyclorama electric.
Video Projection System
The video projection system consists of a large electrical roll-drop style projection screen, a concealed video projector that is electrically lowered into place when needed, and input connections to allow playback of various media such as VHS and DVD, as well as connections at the stage for portable laptop computers used in lectures and other presentations.