Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 19:08:51 -0400
Subject: Re: PUPT: Questions About Theater Lighting and Sound
From: "Christopher Piper" <c.piper-AT-thepuppetco.org>


Michael T. Lamason wrote:

>Greetings Friends,
>
>Black Cherry is beginning renovations on two derelict row houses we bought dirt
>cheap here in Baltimore a couple of years ago. They will house not only our
>studio and offices, but also a puppetry resource center and a small theater.
>Believe it or not we have raised most of the funds needed for the first phase of
>construction through individual, foundation, local and state donations. A major
>factor in the planning and development of the space has been pro bono work by
>structural engineers, architects and theater pros from the local scene. The
>architects and engineers have no experience with theater design and the theater
>folks have no experience with puppetry. Some of them have never even seen us
>perform! I guess they all think that a puppet theater here in Baltimore is a
>pretty good idea. We also have gotten a lot of good press on our educational
>programming for disadvantaged children which makes ours a good cause. We can=92t
>wait to present our marionette and shadow performances in an intimate space
>designed just for puppets. We=92re also looking forward to hosting performances by
>our friends and colleagues from near and far.

Very exciting, Michael.  Black Cherry has come a long way.
>
>The theater will be a black box about 24=92 X 26=92 and seat about 50 people, real
>small. Everyone seems to have hit a snag in the design process when the subject
>came to lighting and sound. The Master Electrician from Center Stage specified a
>dimmer panel with 24 circuits pulling a total of 180 AMPS. The architect and
>mechanical engineer flipped out when they saw the amount of power called for.
>They apparently thought we would use clip or track lights. It has been a real
>education for everyone involved. We have designed a grid with 1 1/2=94 schedule 40
>pipe on 4=92 centers. It is 15=92 from the floor. Maybe, just maybe there is someone
>out there in puppet land who can give us some advice on the following questions.

The Puppet Co. Playhouse seating area is 21' x 48' and seats 220. Kids sit
on the floor and adult on benches on the periphery.  The stage area is about
21' x 12' deep.  This does not include lobby, office or wing space.  We use
24 1200w digital dimmers on two 60 amp three-phase circuits, and while our
lighting designer cries out for more dimmers, 60% of the time he doesn't use
all 24.  Until about a year ago we only used 12 dimmers and we managed.  Our
ceilings are only 11.5 feet (making it hell on tall marionetistes) so the
throw isn't quite as great.  We use can lights with 300w PAR floods and
spots, 500w lekos for gobos and spot lighting, 3" frenels for area lighting,
and two 12 light strips for down lighting and the cyc.  We use Dataton's
TRAX controller and software on a Macintosh G3 Powerbook for show control
with includes lighting cues, slide projectors for rear-projection scenery,
fog machines, and music and sound cues.
>
>1. Are 24 lighting circuits to many for such a small space? Would 12 be enough
>for most puppet performances? 12 are probably more than we will use for most of
>our performances.

My guest is 12 is enough but I haven't seen one of your shows since "Jack
and the Beanstalk" at the Publik Playhouse.  What eats up most of the
dimmers are your "specials".
>
>2. What kind of circuit should we specify for the sound system?

15 amps should be fine.  Keep all sound isolated on the same grounded
circuit to avoid buzz.  If you can afford a circuit conditioner to further
reduce noise, it is worth it.

>
>3. Is there any theater in the US that could serve as a model?

Ahem.  How many times have I invited you to the Puppet Co. Playhouse? :)
>
>4. Any other suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Don't forget incidentals like air conditioner circuits, power for special
effects like fog or bubble machines or whatever.  Nature abhors a vacuum and
you will find yourself using as much power as you have.

>
>Thank you for your suggestions and comments.
>
>Michael T. Lamason, Co-Director
>Black Cherry Puppet Theater
>http://www.charm.net/~bhaas

Glad to add my $.02.  I repeat my invitation to come down to the Playhouse
if you can find the time.  We celebrate the Playhouse's tenth anniversary
this year (and the 15th anniversary of the company), and are expanding to a
new facility with 25% more seating and, even better, more head room!  If
there is anything we can help you with, just let us know.

BTW, I am posting this to the mailing list because this offer goes to anyone
who has to the good fortune (and tenacity) to be able to start a real live
puppet theater in America. I think permanent year-round theaters for
puppetry are vital to the advancement of the art.

 -------- Puppeteers of America - Mid Atlantic Regional Director -------- 
   Delaware, District of Columbia, New York City & Long Island, Maryland 
              New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Virginia 
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 * *****   E-Mail    *****    ||||||||||||   Glen Echo Park, Maryland    * 
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