Pottstown-based systems providers Audiobahn worked closely with the school and the architects in designing and installing the theatre's audio, video and lighting systems. "The architects wanted to keep a very open, somewhat industrial look, maintaining the original brick walls, as well as exposed ductwork along the hall's high ceilings. We added light bars and theatrical fixtures as down-firing lighting to wash the brick walls in primary colours, which really creates a great visual feel," says Audiobahn's president Tony Hersch.
The 300-seat theatre is a multi-purpose venue, accommodating everything from classes and lectures to movies and live performances. The audio system employs three of Community's iBox iHP1299 two-way 12" systems flown in left-centre-right configuration, augmented by a pair of TD218S dual 18" subwoofers. "We built concrete cavities under the stage to prevent excess resonance from the subs," Hersch explains. "Using the iBoxes for LCR was a great solution, since their 90° x 90° pattern provided complete vertical coverage from front row to back." A pair of Community's CPL27 dual 8" systems on the rear wall completes the hall's full 5.1 surround sound, fed by an Allen & Heath ML3000 32-channel mixing console. "The ML3000 is a true LCR mixer, and we're running the subs and surrounds on aux sends," Hersh adds.
To accommodate the venue's multi-purpose use, Hersch specified a video component based around a Panasonic PTD5500U projector and 188" x 142" Da-Lite motorized video screen. A Panasonic DVDS77S DVD player feeds Dolby 5.1 surround sound to the audio system. The speakers are powered by QSC Powerlite amplification. Microphones are Shure SLX wireless systems.
As Hersch explains, the hall was purpose-built in the 1940's as a theatre, thus little was needed by way of acoustic treatment. "Although the walls are stone, they're uneven enough to break up most of the standing waves, and there are several vertical columns that also help. The room's a bit live, but not at all problematic," he says.
(Lee Baldock)
