On the mic end, we have tried dropping the gains on the mics and sound console. We have tried adjusting the lows, mids and highs on the console. 

 

Our theatre is in a church hall. The floors are cement with tile on top. The walls are plaster and the ceiling is an open beam ceiling with fiberglass tiles.

 

Stage: 33 feet wide x 3 foot high (wall to wall).

Main floor to ceiling: 15 feet

Stage floor to ceiling: 12 feet

Auditorium: 33 feet wide x 44 feet deep (front of stage to back wall of room)

 

We have 4 x 12" Community PA Speakers, 2 15" Peavey Subwoofers (most shows we only run 2 of the PAs).

 

We have the ability to put speakers on stands, under stage, fly over stage or place anywhere around the room.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated and tried :-)

 

Of course the key to eliminating feedback is to get the actors to speak up and speak clearly. I use high quality mics on the edge of apron as close to the stage floor as possible for drama and ensemble work in musicals. In musicals we use wireless mics on as many actors as possible (18 on the last 2 big of shows). we use over the ear mics and lavs taped to the cheek or above the forehead.

 

We hardly ever get feedback since we moved to using a digital mixer(Presonus StudioLive) and a pair of 12" QSC speakers with subs.

Originally posted by colugino On the mic end, we have tried dropping the gains on the mics and sound console. We have tried adjusting the lows, mids and highs on the console.

 

Do you have a high pass/low cut filter on the microphone channels and is that engaged?  It might also help if you could identify what microphones are being used and how.  Whether it is a couple of omni area mics or cardioid, headset mics on each actor could make a significant difference.  So could things like being sure to mute or turn down any mics that aren't absolutely needed at that moment.

 

 

Originally posted by colugino Our theatre is in a church hall. The floors are cement with tile on top. The walls are plaster and the ceiling is an open beam ceiling with fiberglass tiles.   Stage: 33 feet wide x 3 foot high (wall to wall). Main floor to ceiling: 15 feet Stage floor to ceiling: 12 feet Auditorium: 33 feet wide x 44 feet deep (front of stage to back wall of room)

 

What are the finishes in the stage area?  Any chance of working with the church to add some acoustical treatments, either permanent or temporary for your use such as draperies, to the space?  Do you use the entire 33' stage width or do you use soft goods or flats to create some wing space to either side?

 

 

Originally posted by colugino We have 4 x 12" Community PA Speakers, 2 15" Peavey Subwoofers (most shows we only run 2 of the PAs).

 

What particular models?  Speakers have directional characteristics that can differ significantly between models.  Do you have any signal processing such as a crossover or equalizer for the speaker system?

 

Is the use of the system primarily speech reinforcement or is there significant music and/or effects use?  Do your actors require significant reinforcement or is it just trying to get a few people in back for most?  Or is the speech reinforcement more a matter of improving intelligibility rather than increasing the level?

 

 

Originally posted by colugino We have the ability to put speakers on stands, under stage, fly over stage or place anywhere around the room.

 

Unless you have speakers specifically designed to be flown along with all the proper hardware and personnel to rig them then flying the speakers becomes a safety issue.  With a 3' high stage and flat floor seating speakers on stand on stage would seem to be shooting over the audience and more at the walls  above them unless you can safely angle the speakers down toward the audience.  Under the stage would seem likely to have most of the sound going into the front row and not much direct sound to anyone beyond the first few rows of seating.  What may work best is likely to be very dependent on the specific speakers and some of the other information identified, such as the type of microphones used and where they are located.