WEEK 6_Wyly Theatre_Flexible Configurations

"Theatre machine"

Joshua Prince-Ramus

The Wyly Theatre offers a forward looking vision of the theatre's of the present. It literally turns theatre design on its head, stacking functions that previously had been spread out, putting the lobby in the basement, the theatre in the lobby-generally rearranging everything and allowing everything to be rearranged "
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Instead of circling front-of-house and back-of-house functions around the auditorium and fly tower, the Wyly Theatre stacks these facilities below-house and above-house.

Parti Diagram of main spaces

3D section_Vertical configuration of theatre spaces.

The venue has the ability to be changed into a wide variety of configurations, including:

• 1. Proscenium_A theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch
• 2. Thrust_In theatre, a thrust stage (also known as a platform stage or open stage) is one that extends into the audience on three sides.
• 3. Flat Floor_ A new sort of performance space developed in the second half of the 20th century. Also called the black box. No stage. No curtains. The audience become intimately involved.

Proscenium Floor plan

Thrust floor plan

Flat floor plan

Technologies

• Each of the three 135-ton balcony towers, both stair towers, and proscenium can be repositioned or lifted out of sight using sporting arena scoreboards lifts.
• The theatre is equipped with an elaborate system of winches, pulleys, lifts, tracks, and catwalks.
• The ground plan can change height, tilt, or rotate using technology adapted from opera houses to facilitate different stage or orchestra level configurations.
• Each of the performance chamber’s components-seating, light control, acoustic separation, and surface-enjoys tailored flexibility without compromising any other component.
• The light control blinds can be uniformly or individually lifted
• The stage and auditorium surface materials are deliberately not precious to encourage scenic alteration.