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| College, University and Performing Arts | ||||
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Challenge
Create audience seating solution for new black box theatre, adapting to unique interior design without right angles.
Wenger Solution
Providing flexible tiered platform system featuring portable, theatre-style audience chairs.
Benefits
Highlights
"Safety was my top concern with our old theatre seating system," says Bob Larson, professor of theatre at Luther College. "I was anxious to make a change when our new theater opened." The previous system consisted of 4' x 8' wooden platforms and uncomfortable folding chairs. Wenger personnel visited Luther early in the planning process and were very attentive throughout, according to Larson.
Based on Luther's four most common seating configurations, Wenger designed the necessary Upper Deck system, including corner sections. Luther ordered Portable Audience Chairs from Wenger, which Larson said offered "the most value and comfort for our budget." "Beyond these four setups, we now realize we can probably do almost anything," says Tom Berger, assistant technical director, noting that every theatre event was really two productions before Upper Deck- setting up seating and then building the set.
The Upper Deck system really speeds up this process, according to Berger. Setups that took two weeks now take just a few hours. And although the student work crews have constant turnover, he says the process still goes fast and the students figure it out easily. "Setup time varies depending on the configuration," explains Berger. "With four or five people working, it might take six hours for a complete changeover, including moving chairs." Adds Berger, "I'm pleased with the Upper Deck system - it's really cut down on our workload, it's quiet and the chairs are comfortable." "Wenger's customer service is very good," concludes Larson. "Any issue was resolved quickly."
Product List
Upper Deck Audience Seating®, Portable Audience Chairs, Versalite® Staging Platforms, flipFORMS® Rehearsal Furniture and Classic 50® Music Stands.
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