Performing Arts Theater Audio Renovation

Holton Arms School EntranceWhen Mark Robinson was brought on as Technical Director and Theater Manager in 2012 he soon learned that the performing arts theater was very much in need of an audio system renovation.

The old gymnasium had been converted into the James Whittier Lewis Theater in 1989. The theater had undergone several stages of audio renovations over the years, but technical issues and sound design problems persisted creating an environment where feedback was prevalent and sound coverage was very inconsistent. Additionally, engineers in the production booth could not hear what was happening on the stage or in the theater.

Mark Robinson PhotoThe staff at Holton-Arms School, led by Mark Robinson, began looking for a company that could help. Having completed other projects at the school in the past, they turned to Metro Technical Services. Noel Gregos met with Mark and the team and began to design a custom audio system that would meet their needs.

Metro Technical added stacks of five Bose MA-12 line array speakers on either side of the proscenium powered by a Bose Power-Match 4000w amplifier. The small profile of the speakers allows them to be mounted in the optimal position for acoustics while not interfering with the visual aesthetic of the theater.

Holton Arms TheaterTo address the lack of sound in the booth, four BOSE Model 16 speakers were mounted on the front wall of the booth to accommodate the booth engineers during rehearsals and performances.

Metro Technical was able to complete the project on time and within budget, creating a system that delivers better quality sound, even coverage throughout the theater, increased sound level while almost eliminating feedback and providing more accurate sound in the booth for the operators.

Comments

  1. Do you upgrade old movie theatres? We have a theatre that can not play the newest movies because of outdated equipment or so we have been told. We are a nonprofit organization that needs some rough estimates of costs so we can get permission from our board to run a capital campaign. How do we go about this? Any help or advice you can give us would be most welcome. We are located in northern Ohio between Cleveland and Toledo.

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