Projects

This performing arts center replaced the significant Fine Arts Auditorium on campus. The building includes a 1,000-seat auditorium and music rehearsal rooms with planning for a future recital hall.

While primarily used for music performances, including the Valley Symphony Orchestra, the center also supports dance performances, especially folkloric dance with mariachi accompaniment.

Schuler Shook provided full theatre design services and architectural lighting for the theatre, main lobby, grand stair, second floor lobbies, first floor side gallery spaces and the building façade.

The Dakota Jazz Club made a name for itself serving excellent food and providing great entertainment for 18 years in St. Paul. The Dakota’s owners saw an opportunity to relocate their bar / music / restaurant venue. This increased the Dakota’s business while giving the downtown area a boost in nightlife and offering a smart lunchtime destination.

The new 300-seat restaurant was designed for performances and boasts of great acoustics, sightlines, and lighting. Schuler Shook’s lighting design included theatrical fixtures accenting the stage, illuminated niches highlighting the architecture and wine storage, and decorative pendants over tables to create an upscale, yet intimate jazz club atmosphere.

Originally constructed in 1927 as a World War I memorial, this 3,500-seat reconfigurable auditorium provides a home for concerts, ceremonies and events serving the City of Sacramento. Memorial Auditorium was renovated as part of an initiative to improve convention and performance venues in an effort to attract visitors and events to the city.

Restoration and renovation of 1910 theater (formerly World Theater) for live performances and The Prairie Home Companion broadcasts.

The Hattiloo Theatre is a Black repertory theatre that began in 2005. The theatre building includes two theatres, a lobby used for public performance and private events, dressing rooms and concession areas. Construction for the new building began in June 2013 and opened in July 2014. There are two black box theatres including the large main stage theatre which is a flexible space able to seat up to 180 audience. The second theatre can seat up to 58.

Planning and design consulting for a new film studio and schematic phase theatre planning for a 1,000-seat theatre.

The City of Phoenix brought Schuler Shook in for theatre renovation assistance for the 2,300-seat Symphony Hall. Our consultants were responsible for the renovation and replacement of the orchestra shell ceiling and towers, proscenium eyebrow, motorized hoists for ceiling and eyebrow, motorized hoists for speaker clusters, and computerized rigging control system.

In just one year, with construction occurring only between performance seasons, this 1926 opera house received a renovation and expansion that reached from its 3‑story lobby skylight down to the enlarged orchestra pit.

Schuler Shook’s theatre planners brought to this fast-paced project their years of technical experience working in many other U.S. opera houses. We worked to improve both the technical systems available to the performers and artists as well as to enhance the audience’s experience from the new seating. Our scope covered stage areas and auditorium areas, the orchestra pit, new stage lighting and rigging systems, an LED-based stage titling system, and improved sightlines within a newly configured seating arrangement that allows for almost 160 additional seats.

Ballet Memphis’ studio space replaced an abandoned French Quarter hotel located in Overton Square. The building is approximately 30,000 SF and includes five studios, community spaces, costume shop and offices. The building features large windows where passerby’s are able to watch ballet dancers and students rehearse.

Austin’s long time public television station, KLRU teamed up with Austin Community College to build state-of-the- art broadcast studios that will increase community engagement and offer enhanced workplace development programs. The largest is a 6,500-square foot studio with retractable seating that can deploy to create a wraparound studio audience of more than 400 for a variety of events, including community forums, film and lecture series, and filming and screenings. Motorized lighting battens in the studio will add to its flexibility and ease of changeover. The second studio of 1,550 square feet has an open floor and lighting pipe grid above. The third studio of 2,500 square feet is operated by ACC. The studio has an open floor plan, lighting pipe grid above, and a built-in green screen area.

Schuler Shook provided planning for audience areas and studio infrastructure and production consultation. Production systems by Schuler Shook include retractable audience seating, staging platform systems, studio lighting fixtures and control, studio grids, and rigging systems.

River Spirit Casino and Resort underwent a major expansion project. The massive project included a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant, Paradise Cove Theatre (which is a 2,500+ seat showroom for live entertainment and sporting events), a 22-story 500-key upscale hotel tower, a world-class spa, convention and meeting center, and new restaurants. 

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning services that included performance and architectural lighting control systems design, theatre seating including the VIP suites with open ​“Party Decks”. Seating is flexible to accommodate arena-style seating for MMA events. Schuler Shook also provided the rigging control system for in-house and touring production hoist control and conjunction with advisory services for rigging support steel and for catwalk layouts. 

Architectural lighting design services included house lighting for the theatre and VIP area, main casino lobby and floor, guest rooms and suites, fitness center, hotel corridors, pool bar, ballroom and associated pre-function space and meeting rooms. 

Texas Southmost College Music Education Building and Recital Hall is home to an 800-seat main performance space designed to support an orchestra of up to 150 pieces as well as opera and theatre. Three rehearsal halls with teaching studios, a dressing room, green room, ticket booths and a lobby with a sweeping river view complete this new center.

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning, lighting, adjustable acoustic system, concert shell and rigging systems design for the new music education building, including the main performance hall, rehearsal halls, teaching studios, and dressing rooms.

Schuler Shook provided theatre design for new 650-seat high school proscenium theatre with full fly house and orchestra shell.

The Music Education Complex at Texas A&M University-Kingsville includes a 500-seat performance hall, 100-seat recital/lecture hall, four large ensemble rehearsal rooms, practice rooms, classrooms and offices, collaborative spaces, and a recording studio. The building replaces the existing music building that was acoustically and spatially inadequate for TAMU-Kingsville’s active and growing programs. Schuler Shook provided programming and theatrical planning and design. Both the performance and recital halls include theatrical lighting systems for general concert illumination and atmospheric lighting effects, controllable through lighting consoles or accessed as pre-programmed presets for simple operation.

The performance hall, recital hall, and four large rehearsal rooms have curtain systems to adjust the acoustical characteristic for different types of ensembles. Additionally, the performance hall features two motorized, tilting reflector panels over the platform for further acoustical adjustment. These systems are motorized in the two halls for easily repeatable operation.

This complete renovation of the old New Yorker Theatre was almost all new construction. Working closely with architects Martinez + Johnson, Schuler Shook designed new lighting and theatre systems for the 665-seat theatre and provided input on catwalk placement, sightlines, and the data and power cable distribution.

This new facility serves the entire Plano Independent School District community, allowing students to perform and attend events with access to fine arts activities not available on individual campuses. It includes a 1,545-seat proscenium theatre, black box theatre, multi-purpose room, art gallery, and support spaces.

The theatre features a full-height fly loft, concert shell, variable acoustic banners and curtains, state-of-the-art theatrical lighting, and a motorized orchestra pit lift. The black box includes a retractable seating system and catwalks for flexible lighting and rigging.

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning, seating, stage lighting, rigging and curtains, orchestra shell, pit lift, and variable acoustic system. Their architectural lighting design covered the lobbies, audience chambers, art gallery and display areas, and restrooms.

New 1900-seat proscenium auditorium with fly house, black box theatre and fine arts wing including lighting, rigging, shell, and planning.

The Kessler Theatre opened as a movie house in the early days of World War II and was recently restored to a mixed-use venue that includes a performance space, dance studio, art gallery and more. 

Located in the artsy, hip Oak Cliff neighborhood, The Kessler draws young crowds with an eclectic mix of music and performance art onstage. Schuler Shook provided the theatre planning services and design of the stage lighting systems.

According to The Dallas Observer, it is ​“easily the best listening room in town.” The size of the space is perfect for an intimate and exciting concert experience. 

The outdoor amphitheatre in Nelson Park is part of the Decatur Park District’s long-term plans for development of the town’s lakeshore.

The renovation of the 3,500 seat Pavilion included acoustical, lighting and rigging upgrades. The orchestra enclosure consists of wall panels and overhead panels, which are required to shift quickly from orchestra concert mode to popular concert mode. The wall panels both pivot and track into storage positions, and the tilt mechanism for the overhead panels can be remotely activated without lowering the panels to the floor, which saves many hours of stage setup time.

The orchestra lighting consists of a combination of halogen and ceramic metal halide — this system is energy efficient and also requires less air conditioning to keep the stage cool in the summer heat. The renovation also included new house lighting, which was arranged in a radial pattern to match the seating layout.

Schuler Shook provided lighting design and theatre planning services for the 450-seat Tower Auditorium in this Global Communications Hub in Charlotte. The room is designed for video production and teleconferencing as well as live lecture and assembly.

Working closely with the architects at Perkins+Will, we created a seating layout and appropriate lighting of the onstage presenter and the audience that works well for those in the room and for those experiencing the room through the bank’s Knowledge Channel video broadcasts.
 

Theatre Planning and lighting and rigging systems design for new $23 million dollar Performing Arts Center Complex for the Upper School campus.

The K‑12 school’s performing arts center involved planning, design, and coordination for a 730-seat proscenium theatre with orchestra pit and full working stage, a 200-seat black box theatre, a dance studio, music rehearsal and practice rooms, scenery and costume shops, and performer support spaces including dressing rooms and a green room.

Schuler Shook designed the performance systems and equipment, provided room shaping and architectural integration services, as well as dimming and rigging system design for both theatres. Schuler Shook also helped with overall building coordination, particularly as building arrangement and systems design affected performance function.

Theatre planning, theatrical lighting, performance platforming and rigging design services for renovation of 1,700-seat theatre. 

The Minneapolis Convention Center expansion began in 1998. Included in the expansion was a large flexible 3,400-seat auditorium to be used for large assembly events. Because it was recognized that a 3,400 seat auditorium would have limited use due to its size, a space capable of reconfiguration from a single large house into multiple smaller spaces was designed.

The lighting design challenges presented by the flexibility of the space were met with the use of dual downlight systems, custom wall sconces located in movable and stationary walls, and a meticulously programmed lighting control system. Area lighting and accent lighting integrated into the room design afford flexibility, task lighting, and accenting of ceiling and wall planes.

Schuler Shook’s theatre planning scope included the auditorium, its lighting control systems and stage rigging. Schuler Shook provided additional architectural lighting design for all public spaces, meeting rooms, and exhibit halls within the expansion.

In December of 2002, the new Proscenium Theatre addition presented its first performance. The 250-seat theatre is the anchor venue of this arts center for theatre, music, and dance.

The facility includes a black box theatre and a recital hall which are performance spaces that are located in the existing arts building. The three performance spaces are connected with a lobby and supported by dressing rooms, scene shop, costume shop, storage, loading, and arts classrooms. The theatre has a full fly house, orchestra pit lift, and state-of-the-art technical systems.

Originally constructed in 1937, this Art Deco visual and performing arts building was renovated and enhanced, with the addition of a new 100-seat black box theater, make-up and dressing rooms, arts studios and music rehearsal rooms. The historic decorative details of the 800-seat auditorium were restored, including the ornate seat standards. The audience experience was improved with air-conditioning and an electro-acoustic system.

A.D. Players is a professional, resident theatre company founded by Jeannette Clift George in 1967. Mrs. George’s vision for the company included having a performing arts complex in the Houston Galleria district to produce and present theatre from a Christian perspective.

Schuler Shook worked along with Studio RED Architects to provide theatre planning, theatrical systems design, and seating and platform systems design for the Visual & Performing Arts Center.

The 30,000-square-foot facility includes a 338-seat proscenium theater, a 100-seat black box theater, rehearsal spaces, an art gallery, and classrooms.

Schuler Shook’s scope in the main theater included a catwalk system and side lighting positions supporting both technical access and creative staging. The black box theatre includes modular audience seating and staging options to accommodate varied performance styles.

Expansion project of the high school that included a new 750-seat proscenium theatre, black box/drama classroom and related production support spaces.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall was originally constructed in 1918 in a record 4 months and 4 days. Saved from the wrecking ball by a renovation in the 70’s, the DSO moved back downtown to Orchestra Hall in 1988. This most recent project commenced in 1997 and included completing the restoration of Orchestra hall and constructing 135,000 square feet of new space.

Schuler Shook provided full service theatre consulting. We provided programming, space planning guidance and equipment design services for the refurbishment, re-seating and equipping of the 2,064-seat Orchestra Hall, the Music Box – a variable-form second hall that seats up to 450 – the Jacob Bernard Pincus Music Education Center and the Robert A. and Maggie Allesee Rehearsal Hall. We also worked closely with the architect to provide much-needed public, backstage and administrative spaces.

Orchestra Hall now includes a refurbished orchestra shell and motorized rigging, a forestage lift, a proscenium super-grid and new lighting system and mounting positions – all designed and specified by Schuler Shook. The Music Box includes a flexible lighting system for its multiple forms and uses, as well as extensive automated acoustical adjustment systems.

The McAllen Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of Broadway shows, Valley Symphony Orchestra, local music and popular entertainment acts, dance, and dramatic productions for McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley. The theatre seats about 1,800 patrons on three levels and features a generously-sized stage, orchestra pit with lift, motorized/ counterweight fly system, programmable Venetian-style valance, orchestra shell, motorized adjustable acoustic curtains, and extensive theatrical lighting. Schuler Shook provided full theatre design services and architectural lighting for the performing arts theatre.

The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City wanted a space that would allow them to explore new productions year-round. The renovation of the historic Plaza Theatre movie house has provided just that — an intimate space for this regional theatre company’s productions of plays, musicals and new works. The stage also serves as the ultimate classroom for the Lyric’s acting academy for children. 

Schuler Shook provided theatre consulting services for the 278-seat proscenium theatre, including the design of a tension wire grid, stage lighting system and auditorium house lighting. The theatre includes dressing rooms, three voice studios, office space, and an outdoor donor garden. 

The Humanities Center for York College of Pennsylvania project began as a study in 2001 and was green lighted in late 2005.

The study resulted in a new performing arts center in a prominent location on the college campus, consisting of a 700-seat proscenium theatre and a 150-seat black box theatre, a scene shop, dressing rooms, and support spaces. The facility includes a full fly loft for the benefit of student and community productions, as well as educational lectures and special events.

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning and design services for the performance and supports spaces, an orchestra pit lift, and complete theatrical lighting and rigging systems. Schuler Shook also provided architectural lighting design for the lobby and the theatre.

Just west of downtown Nashville, James Lawson High School is a three-story, 310,000 SF campus designed around sustainability, academic opportunity, and community. Supporting its robust arts education program, the school features a state-of-the-art 500-seat proscenium theatre with a full fly loft.

Schuler Shook provided an advisory seating layout for the auditorium, incorporated into the architectural drawings by HASTINGS, along with advisory and lighting layouts for dressing rooms, the prop shop, and scenery storage. The school also includes a dance studio with rigging for a mirror masking curtain system.

The Paramount Theater renovation and expansion restored the theatre from a dilapidated facility to a thriving performing arts center. The 1,000-seat venue is producing and presenting a wide variety of arts, education, and entertainment events with the goal of reaching diverse audiences.

Schuler Shook was involved in the original pre-design of the facility, the shaping of the theatre and support spaces, and the design and specifications of the technical equipment systems.

Named in recognition of its neighborhood, the Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston is better known as MATCH. The nonprofit group was formed expressly to create new space where artists around Houston could come together to collaborate and present their work. The MATCH facility is custom designed with input from over 40 arts groups. The resulting structure contains four performance venues referred to as MATCH boxes located in two buildings — North and South — connected by a sweeping breezeway to the plaza. MATCH supports dance, music, theatre, visual art, film, performance art, and others in the new facility.

Each ​“box” is slightly different. MATCH Box 1, a flexible theatre with seating for 100 in the round, has white walls that allow it to easily serve as an art gallery. Blackout curtains help return it to a performance space. MATCH Box 2 is an end-stage dance theatre with a permanent resilient dance floor and seating for 159. MATCH Box 3 can seat about 140 and is a more traditional black box theatre. MATCH Box 4, an end stage proscenium space with seating for 329, has catwalks for theatrical support and adjustable acoustic curtains. Boxes 1 through 3 feature pipe grids for overhead support. 

Walton Arts Center greatly expanded and modernized their facilities to be able to more easily fulfill their mission as a major community arts center. Schuler Shook provided theatre consulting and architectural lighting design services.

Schuler Shook provided full theatre consulting services for Lee College’s first-ever Performing Arts Center, including the new 40,000 sf multipurpose auditorium, rehearsal space and black box theatre.

This 1,000 seat theatre serves the larger community with a wide variety of performance activities, and it also supports Bendigo Senior Secondary College. The project made possible the sustainable re-use of the former Sandhurst Gaol, which was re-purposed and renovated to serve as the front of house public space to the new adjoining theatre, providing historic character to the venue.

Schuler Shook collaborated closely with Y2 Architecture and Acoustic Studio in the planning and equipping of the theatre. Ulumbarra Theatre is the largest regional venue in Victoria and is capable of presenting theatre, musical theatre, music, dance, cinema, community ceremonies, and a variety of audio-visual productions, for local and regional artists as well as touring productions.

North Central College advanced the fine and performing arts on campus with a series of projects involving new construction and adaptive reuse. Opened in the fall of 2008, the 57,000 SF Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center is now a beacon for the arts on campus and in the greater community.

To further foster learning, practice and performance. North Central College included a flexible performance space in their plan as well. The College renovated the 95-year-old former Grace Evangelical Church for this purpose and helped preserve an important part of the College’s and the community’s history in the process.

Schuler Shook provided theatre consulting and architectural lighting design services for the new Fine Arts Center, including the 650-seat Wentz Concert Hall and the 150¬seat Madden Theatre. The studio theatre includes flexible seating and staging options, providing the perfect setting for theatre, dance and music performance. We worked closely with Talaske Sound Thinking, the acoustician, and Loebl Schlossman & Hackl, the architect, to create an appropriate concert hall for groups such as North Central College’s Concert Winds, Women’s Chorale and Concert Choir. Our lighting designs are seen in the concert hall, studio theatre, lobby and gathering spaces.

Schuler Shook provided full theatre design services for the proscenium theatre with balcony, a black box classroom theatre, a television studio classroom and related support spaces.

McKendree University added to its campus a new facility for the arts – the Hettenhausen Performing Arts Center.

Schuler Shook’s theatre planners were involved early in the project to discuss with university leaders the precise needs that the new facility would fulfill. We worked closely with architects at Mackey Mitchell to design an appropriate new home for the arts while remaining sensitive to tight budgetary constraints. 

The beautiful 500-seat theatre anchors a 34,000 sf building. The facility includes a large band room, large rehearsal spaces, ensemble practice rooms and simple backstage accommodations. 

Schuler Shook provided comprehensive theatre planning and architectural lighting design for the University of Memphis’s Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, an innovative music facility crafted to support the next generation of performers. This 83,000-square-foot venue houses a 900-seat convertible concert/opera hall, along with rehearsal spaces and cutting-edge music technology, all designed to inspire both students and audiences.

Our team was focused on designing performance systems that elevate the artistic and educational experience. We were responsible for developing the stage lighting, rigging, concert shell, pit lift, performance lighting, and production infrastructure, ensuring the facility can accommodate a wide array of musical performances.

Key considerations such as sightlines, accessibility, and audience comfort were prioritized to create an immersive and intimate environment for both concert and opera experiences.

The School of Theatre and Dance at Texas Tech University offers graduate and undergraduate programs training performers, designers, and technicians. The School desired updated and expanded facilities with flexible spaces, state-of-the-art technologies, and the ability to innovate and experiment.

Phase I involved expanding existing facilities to include a new multi-level black box theatre with a tension-wire grid, expanded lobby, new lighting lab (Collab Lab), three new rehearsal rooms, new sound recording lab, additional classrooms and new department offices. The Collab Lab has tension wire grid to simulate the new black box theatre and a batten system to simulate the mainstage proscenium theatre. The tension wire grid is wheelchair accessible for mobility impaired students to observe instruction at the tension wire grid level. Schuler Shook provided full theatre planning and equipment design services for the expansion of the Maedgen Theatre. The black box theatre seats up to 230 with multiple configurations to accommodate different productions resulting in completely different audience experiences for each show.

 

Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago’s Tony Award®-winning home for new plays, had outgrown its space in Lincoln Park. Victory Gardens turned to Schuler Shook to lead a programming effort, identifying their goals for an expanded theatre. We worked very closely with the Artistic Director and Managing Director at that time — Dennis Zacek and Marcelle McVay — to refine Victory Gardens’s goals for a new home.

When the nearby Biograph Theatre became available for purchase, Victory Gardens saw a unique opportunity in their own neighborhood. They purchased the famed cinema and began an extensive adaptation, developing a new 299-seat theatre that offers their playwrights a larger, more capable stage.

Schuler Shook advised Victory Gardens on theatre and backstage planning, designed the stage rigging and lighting systems, and assisted during construction of the project. In addition, Robert Shook designed lighting for the opening production of Charles Smith’s Denmark.

In 2018 the Student Life Center opened at St. Agnes Academy, a Catholic high school for young women in Houston, TX. The project included both new construction and adaptive reuse of an existing stage to a black box theatre. The center houses Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P. Assembly and Performance Hall; Arthur W. Buckley Theatre; 125-seat studio theatre; Jamieson Family Dance Studio; student commons; and additional classrooms. 

To help the school maximize use of the 1,300-seat theatre, the balcony can be closed off from the remainder of the audience chamber to create a 240-seat lecture room.

Schuler Shook provided full theatre consulting services for the proscenium theatre and studio theatre including planning, designing and specifying audience seating and sightlines, stage rigging and curtains, variable acoustic curtains, stage lighting power and control systems, stage lighting fixtures, concert enclosure, portable platforms, and pit filler platforms. We also specified portable platform systems for future purchase for the 125-seat studio theatre.

The Bishop Arts Theater Center was completed in 2008 and includes a 170-seat proscenium theatre with dressing rooms, executive offices, box office/concession area, art gallery, learning laboratory for arts education programs and an arts business incubator center for cultural organizations to rent affordable office space.

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning and consulting that included review of architect/engineer drawings, stage lighting, dimming and control system, stage rigging and stage curtain and minimal sightline evaluation for audience seating. expanded backstage facilities.

The Majestic Theatre, an atmospheric proscenium venue, is adjacent to San Antonio’s Empire Theatre. 

The theatre’s programming includes popular music, orchestra, and Broadway Touring Companies. 

Schuler Shook designed the stage house extension and new rigging system. 

The Empire and Majestic theatres are jointly operated and scheduled, affording flexibility and maximizing income.

The Orpheum Theatre was purchased by the city of Minneapolis to invigorate the theatre district. This 2,600-seat theatre is used for a wide range of programs, including large touring productions such as The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.

Working with the architects and city planners, Schuler Shook’s principal designer Michael DiBlasi guided the expansion of the stage house, development of backstage support rooms, and specification of new stage lighting and rigging systems. The rear wall of the stage house was removed, the stage was made deeper and a loading dock and dressing rooms were added.

The facility has been heavily utilized since its renovation. The Orpheum Theatre’s reputation for technical accommodation afforded it selection as the rehearsal and preview house for The Lion King prior to its Broadway premier.

Schuler Shook provided initial feasibility study, theatre planning and design of the seating, stage lighting, orchestra shell and adjustable acoustic draperies.

Sam Houston State University is known for its strong theatre and music curricula. The school sought a new center that would bring together music, dance and theatre while providing distinct performance areas attuned to the needs of each art form.

Through Schuler Shook’s programming and planning effort with the design team and performing arts departments, we helped create performance spaces specific to each art form. 

This 8,100-seat, civic-owned amphitheatre was designed to operate throughout the year and provide music programming, educational events and farmer’s markets. The Orion also provides an opportunity for local businesses and government organizations to stage large-scale gatherings.

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning services including seat planning, seating layouts, production cable path planning, and distribution of production power.

The Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts is a multi-purpose facility that was designed to service students, staff and the entire community. The building features a 5,000-seat performing arts theatre with balcony, meeting spaces, lecture halls and banquet areas. The performance hall can be divided into three separate spaces allowing for two smaller halls with 640-seats each and the main hall seating 4,200. 

Schuler Shook provided full theatre design services for the auditorium. The auditorium features a cross-over aisle that increases accessibility, improves circulation and provides camera positions. Other features of the project include a fly loft with motorized rigging; orchestra pit; pit lift; catwalks; acoustical concert enclosure; control booths; performance lounge and dressing rooms. 

The renovation of the Empire Theatre completed the repositioning of this two venue facility in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The Empire is a proscenium theatre which is used for dance, music, lecture and small drama performances. Schuler Shook provided complete theatre planning services to bring this 900-seat facility back to life. The Empire Theatre has a custom flexible seating system on the orchestra level which allows for three different configurations: Traditional Theatre Seating, Cabaret Seating and ​“pops” Seating.

The Empire’s adjacent atmospheric proscenium venue, The Majestic Theatre, had previously received a new stage house and rigging system, designed by Schuler Shook. The Majestic Theatre is used for popular music, orchestra and Broadway touring Companies. The two theatres are jointly operated and scheduled, affording flexibility and maximizing income.

The renovation of the Scottsdale Civic Plaza Mall was developed through community outreach, with the vision of creating three outdoor performance spaces for people to gather and experience arts and culture. Schuler Shook was brought on to help make the city’s vision a reality. 

The East Bowl Canopy provides a shade canopy covered performance space with a sloped lawn audience area. The canopy is outfitted with a permanent lighting system for easy setup, rigging points for larger productions, and wireless lighting controls.

The 360 Canopy houses two performance areas on opposite sides of a cluster of banyan trees. An undulating ribbon of canopy encompasses the trees and covers the performance areas and interconnecting walkways. Both spaces have automated architectural lighting and an integrated control system that can connect to temporary production equipment allowing for maximum control.

Design and planning for 1,000 seat proscenium theatre, black box theatre, event rooms, and support spaces. 

Schuler Shook worked closely with Cuningham Group and the Alexandria School District to design a state of the art performing arts center for their new high school. The 1,000-seat auditorium has a generously sized stage to support a wide variety of performances including vocal and instrumental music, drama, musical theatre, dance, lectures and assemblies 

Built in 1957, Swathout Hall was renovated in 2015 to expand the platform size, provide better ADA access, upgrade the performance technology, and update the hall’s finishes. The performance hall is well-equipped to host solo and chamber music performances, as well as occasional chamber opera productions. The renovation improved sightlines and provided ADA seating by re-sloping the hall and re-spacing seats. New side walls and ceiling panels improved acoustics while modernizing the hall. New architectural lighting above the platform provides lighting for performance and accentuates the new side walls.

The renovated catwalk provides new theatrical production accommodations with improved maintenance access to service theatrical fixtures. A state-of-the-art lighting control system and new theatrical lighting fixtures expand the theatrical capabilities of the room. Storage was increased behind the platform and accommodates two concert grand pianos and other instruments.

Renovation of the existing 1,100-seat auditorium, stage and related support spaces.

Herbert W. Armstrong College was founded in 2001 and several years later construction began on a new 823 seat auditorium. The eight-story concert hall is located on the campus of Herbert W. Armstrong College and was built to serve the community by hosting various professional Broadway-style performances. The building also serves as a space for the Philadelphia Church of God services and provides classrooms for Armstrong College music department.

Schuler Shook worked with the Winspear Opera House staff to select and specify theatrical and hospitality equipment for the Annette Straus Square. Our services included developing specifications and bid documents for the City of Dallas, conducting the pre-bid conference, responding to bidder questions, reviewing bids, and recommending qualified vendors. Schuler Shook also coordinated with Opera House staff to track equipment purchases and deliveries, ensuring compliance with the City of Dallas purchase agreement.

The Forney ISD Opportunity Central (OC) is a $150 million facility designed to enhance learning, performance, and community engagement. Featuring a 6,000-seat arena, a 600-seat black box theatre, and a lecture hall, the venue is built for versatility. Schuler Shook collaborated with the architect and school district to provide theatre planning and design services, including sightline studies, seating configurations, production lighting, rigging, and performer support areas. Their work ensured seamless integration of production-ready systems, bringing this innovative space to life for students, artists, and the community.

The Martin Theatre opened as the Murray Theatre in the 1920’s and presented a wide range of plays and music. In the 1990’s, the Ravinia Festival re-planned the building as a dedicated recital hall.

Working with architects Skidmore Owings & Merrill and acousticians Kirkegaard Associates, Schuler Shook developed a new stage enclosure to support acoustic music performances. This new recital ​“shell” projects sound to the 900 audience members, greatly enhancing the sound and intimacy of the room.

The building also received extensive auditorium restoration. Schuler Shook designed new lighting treatments to enhance the painted ceiling and to increase audience comfort.

Schuler Shook provided design services for theatrical rigging and lighting systems, control booth location and layout, as well as advisory service on a retractable audience seating bank for Dance Studio B. We also collaborated with an outside lighting designer to coordinate lighting controls of their specified lighting in this studio.

Theatre planning, lighting and rigging systems design for new 27,800 square-foot Cooper Center for Communication Arts, including 200-seat university theatre and 150-seat black box theatre. 

Originally constructed in 1937 as a field house and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, this adaptive reuse provides the Fayetteville Arkansas campus of the University of Arkansas with its only true music venue. The space includes a 587-seat concert hall, musical instrument and stage storage areas, lobbies and event spaces.

Schuler Shook completed the feasibility study, conceptual study and programming for the university in 2011. Schuler Shook also provided full theatre planning design services which encompassed theatrical planning, audience seating, and technical systems design. Motorized lighting battens and ceiling reflectors, variable acoustic curtains, and platform lifts provide flexibility to the space to allow for different sizes and types of ensembles. 

The performing arts center at the Lone Star College — Tomball campus replaced a smaller performance facility and provides students and faculty with a fully outfitted space for theatre education and performance. 

Schuler Shook provided theatre consulting services for a 425-seat multi-purpose theatre with orchestra shell for music concerts. The theatrical equipment includes 16 single purchase counterweight sets and seven motorized lineshaft rigging sets, adjustable acoustic curtains and orchestra pit with filler platforms. Schuler Shook also designed the theatrical lighting systems and advised on the seating.

Texas A&M University — Commerce has a rich history dating back to 1889, and music education has long played a part in the university’s success. The original music building was built in 1956. With the continued growth of the Department of Music, the university determined that a new, state-of-the-art building was needed. 

The 69,500 SF Music Building consists of the 530-seat Lou and Jack Finney Concert Hall, an 85-seat recital hall, large rehearsal spaces, offices, and teaching and practice rooms. 

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning, lighting and rigging systems design for the new concert hall, recital hall and rehearsal rooms. 

Schuler Shook’s theatre planners were involved from the preliminary design of this 185-seat customized hall for the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Designed for televised press conferences, distance learning and teleconferencing use, the room features automated lighting and a stage that raises and lowers. 

Working closely with Rees Associates, our consultants designed the theatrical stage dimming and controls systems, the flexible platform and the architectural lighting for the room.

The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra sought to enhance the sound and overall experience for their concerts held in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (The DECC). 

Schuler Shook planned and specified a beautiful new state of the art acoustical enclosure, based upon the acoustical requirements of Kirkegaard Associates. In concert with SJA Architects, we designed the lighting control system and created new lighting positions in the cheek walls. We also added dimming capacity and specified new lighting equipment for the stage and apron.

The Hilde Performance Center, an open air amphitheatre, opened in July of 2002 with a special performance by the Minneapolis Orchestra. The attendance for this grand opening drew over 12,000 patrons for the concert and festivities.

The amphitheatre includes several innovative and functional design features to accommodate a variety of programs including live music ensembles, amplified concerts, and drama. The facility stands 45 feet tall with a raised stage and acoustically tuned walls and ceilings. The flexible lighting control systems was designed for orchestra use and includes provisions for touring lighting, rigging, and audio equipment that can accommodate visiting groups. 

This 7,500-seat worship center in South Barrington replaced the 4,500-seat facility that the church had outgrown. The facility houses a 94′ W x 57′ H proscenium and 3‑axis LED screens that can project live feeds as well as pre-recorded scenes.

One of the main goals for the worship facility was to retain an intimate feel and sense of closeness while almost doubling the overall seating capacity. Schuler Shook designed a forestage lift as part of the design solution to create intimacy in the new worship center. The lift lowers from stage level to audience level, bringing the pastor closer to the congregants. The lift also lowers 20′ below stage level, providing access to the scene shop located on the lower level.

Schuler Shook also designed manual and motorized stage rigging, including five motorized light bridges for the church, and provided general planning assistance.

The Hallie Ford Fine Arts Center at East Central University is a new cultural center for theater, music, performing arts and Mass Communication for an eighteen county region of Oklahoma. The new 82,000 square foot Fine Arts Center was built to host the University’s art, music, theatre, speech and mass communication programs. The project was recently awarded an Outstanding Design in American School & University’s 2010 Interiors showcase.

Schuler Shook provided theatre planning, lighting and rigging systems design for the new 1,082 seat Fine Arts Center that included classrooms, studios, practice rooms, an art gallery and sculpture garden.

The Central Park Bandshell had its opening celebration and first performance on July 4, 2009. Schuler Shook provided the theatre planning services and design of the lighting and rigging systems. This state-of-the-art bandshell replaced the existing bandshell in Red Wing’s historic Central Park.

The city’s vision was to transform this underutilized park into Red Wing’s ​“community living room.” Light fixtures and a simple lighting control system have been provided to meet the performance needs of local troupes. Infrastructure, including additional power, truss rigging points, and cable sleeves were designed to meet the needs of large touring groups.