There are more and more small theaters built for schools and communities. Although they also contain the same theater architectural elements from a microscopic point of view, they are very different in scale. Many specific issues raised by them are worth discussing.
Drama and acting classes are usually part of the teaching content of middle schools and universities. Therefore, their theaters are used for both teaching and performance. In addition, schools and communities often use theaters for other activities, such as concerts, assemblies, lectures, conferences, and even exams and sports. However, most schools now hope that theaters can have a single function and have good technical facilities.
Multifunctional halls, as a common theater type in the past, are increasingly unable to meet people's expectations now. There are many problems with multi-functional spaces, not only because different performances have different requirements for physical characteristics, but also the time and manpower required for frequent changes in the theater format. Therefore, it is better to consider several programs, so that each program can meet a certain performance condition, rather than a "multi-functional" space that cannot meet any performance needs. School theaters may like flexible studios in form, or traditional theaters with fixed stages and seats.
The studio needs to have a flat semi-resilient floor (not a concrete floor), a ceiling of at least 5 m high, a grid roof to hang lamps and various technical equipment, and a large curtain track that can be turned into The black box theater has a flexible seating system that can provide different viewing relationships. In many cases, being able to use outdoor natural light will be a valuable resource, such as teaching and rehearsal, and can avoid energy waste, but all windows must be able to provide effective shading for the performance. There must be enough space to store unused seats and equipment. Usually the number of seats is between 80 and 150 people.
A more traditional theater space has a fixed stage, which can provide better technical support for the stage area. Generally, there will be no towers, but there will be some manual or electric suspension equipment, such as curtains and booms. There are two types of seats, fixed and movable. The latter is more common as a telescopic seat, which can be retracted to make the theater a large and flat teaching space or space for other activities. Sometimes the seat may also be placed on the back or side. The general audience capacity of this kind of theater is between 250 and 350 people. Try not to imagine building an oversized hall for lectures or concerts, because the effect will be greatly reduced.
Being able to allow students to participate in theater technical activities (such as lighting, sound and stage art) is also a very important aspect. This needs to be fully considered, especially in terms of safety, for high-altitude light, lighting and grille channels. Anti-drop protection system.
The school theater is usually only part of a large complex building, it does not have a separate front hall and logistics area. However, these theaters are increasingly being used by more and more communities of all kinds, bringing some additional income to the school. A well-equipped theater may be welcomed by amateur and professional groups, or it may become part of local art festivals and cultural programs. Therefore, whether the theater can operate independently when other areas of the school are closed becomes a major issue. At this time, sufficient front halls and toilets are needed to meet the corresponding standards, and sufficient backstage facilities to entertain small performance groups and independent escape routes.