Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Converting a Classroom

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cwells
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 4/29/11
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Topic: Converting a Classroom
Posted: 6/07/11 at 10:57pm

Anybody convert their classroom (mine is 37x28) into a blackbox theatre? I'm curious about what's been successful?

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vickifrank
Celebrity

Joined: 9/21/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 332

Posted: 6/08/11 at 9:38am

I've seen this done very well years ago. The main door opened into the SL 'wings'. Where a blackboard would have been was a velour curtain that was hung and extended a small distance along each wall ending at the door. Windows were blacked out--or curtained, I can't remember which.

Opposite where the blackboard would have been were three stacked platforms with theatre seats on them. Behind the top platform was a wall with a window that formed the sound/light booth.

The ceiling had a small grid for lights to hang. Obviously some electrical modifications were made.

The room was approximately your room's size.

_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

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museav
Lead
Lead

Joined: 11/06/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38

Posted: 6/09/11 at 9:45am

Would the room still be used only for smaller classes or also for public performances?

While there are technical aspects to address, a change in use or occupancy of a space can also involve code and accessibility considerations. You might want to talk to the appropriate party at your school or district to see what impact this may have in terms of exiting, accessibility, life safety, etc. It sucks to get all excited about such a project and spend significant time on it only to later discover that major changes or costs (additional exits, sprinkler systems, ramps or lifts, signage, assistive listening systems and so on) are necessary to address compliance issues, it's usually much better to know the situation as soon as possible and be able to maybe work that into your plans.

Brad W.

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Running Your Theater
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Theater Administration :Running Your Theater

Author	Message
cwells Walk-On Joined: 4/29/11 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Converting a Classroom Posted: 6/07/11 at 10:57pm
	Anybody convert their classroom (mine is 37x28) into a blackbox theatre? I'm curious about what's been successful?

	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 6/08/11 at 9:38am
	I've seen this done very well years ago. The main door opened into the SL 'wings'. Where a blackboard would have been was a velour curtain that was hung and extended a small distance along each wall ending at the door. Windows were blacked out--or curtained, I can't remember which. Opposite where the blackboard would have been were three stacked platforms with theatre seats on them. Behind the top platform was a wall with a window that formed the sound/light booth. The ceiling had a small grid for lights to hang. Obviously some electrical modifications were made. The room was approximately your room's size.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
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museav Lead Joined: 11/06/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 38	Posted: 6/09/11 at 9:45am
	Would the room still be used only for smaller classes or also for public performances? While there are technical aspects to address, a change in use or occupancy of a space can also involve code and accessibility considerations. You might want to talk to the appropriate party at your school or district to see what impact this may have in terms of exiting, accessibility, life safety, etc. It sucks to get all excited about such a project and spend significant time on it only to later discover that major changes or costs (additional exits, sprinkler systems, ramps or lifts, signage, assistive listening systems and so on) are necessary to address compliance issues, it's usually much better to know the situation as soon as possible and be able to maybe work that into your plans.
	Brad W.
	IP Logged