Construction work is completed on the year-long renovation of the Temple High School auditorium. The seating, curtains, stage rigging and other items have been installed, and the new additions (scene shop, make-up room, dressing room, storage, etc.) have been completed.

The acoustical sound of the room is being computer-controlled through the Meyer Constellation Electroacoustic Architecture system. The system uses 22 microphones (both over the stage and out in the audience) to monitor the sound in the room. Using this data, the system adjusts output to 94 speakers located throughout the audience, with the goal that every seat in the auditorium hears the same acoustic sound. The auditorium also includes the Meyer Constellation Ensemble, which provides an electronic version of a traditional orchestra/choral shell and uses an additional 13 speakers on and over the stage.

The Meyer systems are not public address systems and are not for amplification purposes. The system lets auditorium workers alter the acoustics instantly while remaining virtually invisible to the eye. Constellation provides both audience and performers with the optimum acoustical characteristics for a lecture, theatrical production, music concert or other event -- all changed at the push of a button. For the audience, a music concert can have all of the warmth and resonance of a concert hall, while a play in the same space exhibits increased intelligibility. Musicians hear themselves better, creating an onstage acoustical experience conducive to ensemble musicmaking.

The newly-renovated facility also includes a traditional sound amplification system, using 10 speakers located throughout the audience as well as two 18-inch dual subwoofers. The digital mixing board controls 64 channels of sound. The system also includes 24 wireless microphones.

 Photos from August 27th:

Students are auditioning for The Triangle Factory Fire Project, which will be presented October 1-4.
CLICK HERE for a larger version of the photo.

This photo shows a view from inside the control booth with students auditioning on stage.
CLICK HERE for a larger version of this photo.

Here's the floorplan of the newly-renovated facility. CLICK HERE to download a PDF file version of this drawing.

There are some photos from mid-August 2009:

Part of the seating area is shown. Most of the space underneath the balcony has been enclosed for storage and the control booth has been moved to the main floor.

This photo shows more of the ceiling above the seating. The ceiling is covered with what are called "clouds" with spaces between the clouds for lights and speakers.

There is now a ramp down the north side of the auditorium which goes from the audience level to the stage level. On the wall, you may notice the computer-mouse shaped devices, which are power-failure safety lights. Higher up on the wall are some of the small sqaure black speakers for the Meyer Electroacoustic Architecture System, which controls the rooms sound.

Here are some construction photos taken on August 4, 2009:

 
Here is a photo from the stage showing some of the seating area. The control booth is at the rear center.

Another photo showing seating. There are around 900 seats on the main floor.

Two new spotlights waiting to be installed in the balcony.

Photo of the new Scene Shop with a mezzanine and large overhead door that leads onto the stage.

Photo of the make-up room during construction.

Photo of the new lighting console in the control booth. Sound and lighting control is now on the main floor.

Construction work began in October 2008 on the renovation of the Temple High School auditorium. As a result of the construction, the auditorium was unavailable the entire 2008-09 school year. Theatre arts department performances took place in the 9th Grade Cafeteria and at the Cultural Activities Center in Temple.

Construction photos from February 2009 have been added at the end of this article.

The renovation includes an addition behind the current stage which will include a scene shop (57'x35'), dressing rooms (35'x26') and make-up room (16'x26') plus lots of storage space. The new scene shop will include a mezzanine level (14'x38') above the shop floor. The new dressing rooms will include areas for sewing plus a washer and dryer. The new dressing room has counters, mirrors and benches built in.

The auditorium will receive new seating and ceiling redesign, with the lighting and sound control booth being moved to the main auditorium floor. Storage space will be added underneath the balcony. A computer-controlled acoustic environment control system will be employed, as well as a new amplified sound system.

Construction Photos (February 2009)

The yellow line shows the new addition beging built behind the stage that contains a scene shop, make-up room, dressing rooms and storage.

Welding (highlighted in the yellow circle) was being done on the new fly system on stage right.

To work on the auditorium ceiling, an entire wooden floor was constructed on top of the scaffolding to let workers access the ceiling. This view shows the wooden floor (supported by the red trusses) at the top of the photo, plus you can see the balcony in the center of the photo, and the framing for the new control booth and storage space underneath.

This is a view of the stage from inside the new control booth.

This is another view (standing just under the edge of the balcony) of the wooden floor on top of the red trusses that was constructed to let people work on the auditorium ceiling.

This is a stairway that goes up to the wooden floor on top of the scaffolding. The yellow line indicates the wooden floor.

This is the metal mezzanine that is located inside the new scene shop. A door (indicated with the yellow line) goes from the mezzanine into the flyloft area, which is over the tool room and grand piano storage areas.