American Society of Theatre Consultants
Encyclopedia
The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) is a professional organization whose main goal is to apprise owners, contractors and/or architect
s of the services that a theatre consultant can perform, whether it be for a new or renovated facility. The types of facilities that an ASTC member is qualified to assist with are:
)
A theatre consultant, hired by either the contractor, architect or owner, is a professional who with their vast knowledge of layouts, codes and functions of theatre and performance spaces are there to advise owners and design teams during the planning and building of the project. ASTC members must be well versed in technical criteria such as:
in Los Angeles, CA, the Santa Fe Opera
in Santa Fe, NM, the Robert and Magrit Mondavi Center
for the Performing Arts at the University of California, Davis, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park,Chicago, IL, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater
, and the Conference Center
in Salt Lake City, UT.
With the complexity of designing performance spaces and the need to keep apprised of the multitude of codes and new technologies, ASTC has two meetings a year to discuss and review the newest evolutions in public performance spaces. These meetings are held all over the United States so members can see first hand the newest facilities their fellow members have designed. Included in these meetings are panel discussions, oftentimes with invited authorities on various topics. Past Forum topics include:
With the constant changes to building and safety codes, the ASTC has been heavily involved in the creation, dissemination and implementation of those codes.
(USITT), the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the Entertainment Services and Technology Association
(ESTA), and the International Institute for Theatre Technology (OISTAT).
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s of the services that a theatre consultant can perform, whether it be for a new or renovated facility. The types of facilities that an ASTC member is qualified to assist with are:
- Theatres: professional & commercial, regionalRegional theatre in the United StatesRegional theaters, or resident theaters, in the United States are professional or semi-professional, theater companies that produce their own seasons. The term regional theatre most often refers to professional theatres outside of New York City...
, universities, colleges, high schools and community - Auditoriums
- Concert Halls
- ArenasArenasArenas may refer to:-Persons:*Abbygale Arenas , Filipina beauty queen*Braulio Arenas, Chilean poet and writer*Eddie Arenas , Filipino actor...
- Stadiums
- Churches
- Multi-use performance facilities (for theatreTheatreTheatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, danceDanceDance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, concerts, operaOperaOpera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, etc) - Corporate theatres, board rooms, and presentation & conference rooms
- ShowroomShowroomThe word showroom has two distinct meanings including:-Marketing location:A showroom is a large space used to display products for sale, such as automobiles, furniture, appliances, carpet or apparel. The World's most famous locations for a showroom are the Champs Elysees in Paris or the 5th Avenue...
s
Theatre consultant definition
(also see theatre consultantTheatre consultant
A theatre consultant is a consultant who specializes in the design of facilities for the performing arts, equipment for those facilities and the operation of theatre....
)
A theatre consultant, hired by either the contractor, architect or owner, is a professional who with their vast knowledge of layouts, codes and functions of theatre and performance spaces are there to advise owners and design teams during the planning and building of the project. ASTC members must be well versed in technical criteria such as:
- stageStage (theatre)In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
layout and specifications (also see Parts of a theatreParts of a theatre-Types of theatres:*Arena/Stadium: The playing area is in the center of a large open space which usually seats thousands of people.*Proscenium: The audience directly faces the playing area which is separated by a portal called the proscenium arch. The stage is often raised a few feet higher than...
) - fly systemFly systemA fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...
and rigging - mechanical systems such as turntables, orchestra pitOrchestra pitAn orchestra pit is the area in a theater in which musicians perform. Orchestral pits are utilized in forms of theatre that require music or in cases when incidental music is required...
lifts, etc. - theater drapes and stage curtainsTheater drapes and stage curtainsTheater drapes and stage curtains are large pieces of cloth that are designed to mask backstage areas from spectators. They come in various types, each designed for a different purpose, though most are made from black or other dark colored, light-absorbing material such as heavyweight...
- seating and sightlines
- stage lightingStage lightingModern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. Several different types of stage lighting instruments are used in the pursuit of the various principles or goals of lighting. Stage lighting has grown considerably in recent years...
equipment and lighting positions - audio systemsSound reinforcement systemA sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience...
- acousticsArchitectural acousticsArchitectural acoustics is the science of noise control within buildings. The first application of architectural acoustics was in the design of opera houses and then concert halls. More widely, noise suppression is critical in the design of multi-unit dwellings and business premises that generate...
- video projection criteria
- dressing room specifications
- loading dockLoading dockA loading dock is a recessed bay in a building or facility where trucks are loaded and unloaded. They are commonly found on commercial and industrial buildings, and warehouses in particular....
s - front of houseFront of HouseFront of house is primarily a theatrical term, referring to the portion of the building that is open to the public. In theatre and live music venues, it typically refers to the auditorium and foyer, as opposed to the stage and backstage areas...
- building and safety codesBuilding codeA building code, or building control, is a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the...
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Symposiums and Forums
The American Society of Theatre Consultants has a current membership of 64 individuals representing 32 theatre consulting offices. Their members have worked on venues such as: the Walt Disney Concert HallWalt Disney Concert Hall
The Walt Disney Concert Hall at 111 South Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, California is the fourth hall of the Los Angeles Music Center. Bounded by Hope Street, Grand Avenue, 1st and 2nd Streets, it seats 2,265 people and serves as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the...
in Los Angeles, CA, the Santa Fe Opera
Santa Fe Opera
The Santa Fe Opera is an American opera company, located north of Santa Fe in the U.S. state of New Mexico, headquartered on a former guest ranch of .-General history:...
in Santa Fe, NM, the Robert and Magrit Mondavi Center
Mondavi Center
The Mondavi Center, or Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, is a performing arts venue located on the UC Davis campus in Davis, California...
for the Performing Arts at the University of California, Davis, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park,Chicago, IL, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a non-profit, professional theater company located at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. Its more than six hundred annual performances performed 48 weeks of the year include its critically acclaimed Shakespeare series, its World's Stage touring productions, and youth...
, and the Conference Center
LDS Conference Center
The Conference Center, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the premier meeting hall for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Completed in spring 2000 in time for the church's April 2000 general conference, the 21,000-seat Conference Center replaced the traditional use of the nearby Salt...
in Salt Lake City, UT.
With the complexity of designing performance spaces and the need to keep apprised of the multitude of codes and new technologies, ASTC has two meetings a year to discuss and review the newest evolutions in public performance spaces. These meetings are held all over the United States so members can see first hand the newest facilities their fellow members have designed. Included in these meetings are panel discussions, oftentimes with invited authorities on various topics. Past Forum topics include:
- Programming and Planning for the 21st Century
- The Artistic Side of Theatre Planning
- Acousticians
- Facilities for Dance
- Casino Theatres
- Outdoor Theatres
- Rooms for Music
- Front of House Design Issues
With the constant changes to building and safety codes, the ASTC has been heavily involved in the creation, dissemination and implementation of those codes.
Allied organizations
The ASTC maintains close ties with similar organizations such as: United States Institute for Theatre TechnologyUnited States Institute for Theatre Technology
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is a membership organization which aims to advance the skills and knowledge of theatre, entertainment and performing arts professionals involved in the areas of design, production and technology, and to generally promote their interests...
(USITT), the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the Entertainment Services and Technology Association
Entertainment Services and Technology Association
The Entertainment Services and Technology Association is a live entertainment industry organization. From their website:"ESTA is a non-profit trade association representing the entertainment technology industry dedicated to a core mission of Building the Business of Show Business...
(ESTA), and the International Institute for Theatre Technology (OISTAT).