Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been taking a look at what spaces for specific performances and presentations require to make them effective. In particular, we’ve been looking at school drama studios and conference centres.
However, there are a wealth of venues that play host to quite a few different styles of performance, in addition to the odd conference. Unfortunately, for these sorts of venues, there are no hard-and-fast rules as to what they need to make them effective; ultimately, they are judged by the sorts of events they will be holding.
So how do you put together a performance space with adaptability as the primary focus? Like we said, there’s no definitive guide but there are a few tips that should help you along the way.
Stage Lighting
No matter what kind of performance you’re planning to hold, be it a ballet recital or a business conference, you’re going to need stage lighting. Stage lighting plays an important part in any performance, whether fictional or factual, and will be a core demand of anyone looking to use your space.
The best approach to take with lighting if you’re planning on having your venue host different types of performance is to work from the top down; that is, have a sufficient set up for the most ambitious performance you’ll be hosting. After all, it’s much easier to not use certain lights for a presentation than it is to add lights for a multi-million pound musical.
Seating
The traditional ‘seats forward-facing the stage’ layout is still undoubtedly the most popular when it comes to performance spaces, but you’ll also need to consider functions that may not want to make use of this layout. How do you address this?
A good idea is to install permanent tiered seating facing the stage, which will probably be used most often by people making use of your space. Accompany this with unattached seating, that can be set out according to the requirements of each performance – make sure your stage is big enough to accommodate any additional seating, however!
Audio/Visual
When it comes to projection screens and sound systems for stage, it’s best to follow the rules that apply to stage lighting – accommodate for the most ambitious client you wish to host at your venue. If you’re planning on hosting conferences, you’ll need a decent sized screen and projection equipment, not to mention a PA system. For performances reliant on music, you want to provide your clients with the best possible sound, so don’t skimp on quality for the sake of minor savings – you should find that the more you spend on your initial offering, the more money you’ll be able to attract in the long run.
Staging
And finally, the staging. Similar to seating, it’s a good idea to have a permanent stage installed complete with all the stage engineering you’d expect from a top-notch venue – don’t forget the drapes either! For adaptability, provide portable staging and a space for clients to construct their own stage; that way, you aren’t limited in the kinds of performance you can host.
Constructing your own adaptable performance space, designed to host a wide array of performances from a range of different backgrounds, can be expensive but the rewards can be plentiful too.
If you need any help with your performance space – whether it’s multi- or single-purpose – give PG Stage a call on 0161 830 0303 or head to the contact us page.