Why are our students, faculty and friends
so excited?
Rendering of the new recital hall.
The Recital Hall
For the first time, Washington College will have a space devoted specifically to the performance of music. Both Norman James and Tawes theatres were conceived as auditoriums that would function in a number of different capacities.
With 200 seats, the new space is the just right size for student recitals. It will have appropriate acoustics, seating, and lighting geared toward the performance of music. Musicians will have the ability to record performances, and the sound won't "bleed" into other spaces. We will no longer have to worry about making too much noise.
Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of this space is that students will have full access to the hall when they want to work on their performances, rather than having to schedule around other activities and departments.
An Art Gallery
Think "art for art's sake." Visiting exhibitions, as well as student and faculty shows, will be on public display throughout the year. The Kohl Gallery, named for benefactors Benjamin and Judy Kohl, will be located on the first floor of the performing arts center. The 1,200-square-foot facility will be equipped with the environmental controls and security devices required to host significant traveling exhibitions.
A Smaller (and Better) Tawes Theatre
By downsizing the cavernous Tawes Theatre, the architects have made this performance/lecture space more functional and user-friendly. A new entrance and guest parking enhances public access for major events traditionally held here.
The Black Box Experimental Theatre
This type of performance space is ideal because of its versatility and size, as well as its lighting and sound capabilities. Modeled after the Greek amphitheaters, the experimental theater will have a steeply raked horseshoe shaped seating that will bring all audience members close to the onstage action. The audience will enter directly from the main lobby area and through a covered passageway. A gallery around the space provides crew access to the control booth and to the three overhead lighting catwalks; the gallery will also provide additional lighting positions.
The control booth will contain state-of-the-art lighting and sound control and designated projection positions. It will be wired for network and broadcast capabilities. For the first time, students will be able to rehearse their productions in the performance space. The space will also serve as a much needed lighting and design lab. We anticipate that acting and directing classes will regularly use the space.
With seating for 120-150 people, the new little theatre will allow drama students to direct, design, and act in an intimate relationship with their audience. We anticipate that the majority of senior thesis productions—12-15 each year—will be performed in the experimental theater.