The Athens Community Theater

Annotated plan drawing

Notes and comments on the space and its use:

1. Grid height approx. 12'0" above deck; grid of bar joists approx. 1'6" deep
   No rigging installed except curtain tracks
   Proscenium (straight header) height approx. 10'4"
   Stage approx. 1'10" above orchestra (Row A)
   OK to secure scenery to deck with sheetrock screws
2. Stage door: double-leaf steel door opening outward; landing is below grade (parking lot)
3. Fire doors with panic bars; Stage Right door below grade (parking lot); Stage Left door above grade (irregular grassy yard)
4. Dressing rooms communicate, allowing a backstage cross
5. Storage loft is at +8'0"; open front; dimmer packs on Stage Left wall
6. Electrical distribution boxes take up approx. 1' of wing space
7. Curtain puller station
8. Plot worst sight lines from 11'0" in front of proscenium corners

Good points about the space:

• It doesn't cost much.
• The company has a bold way of programming shows into it.
• Dressing rooms are close to the stage.
• The auditorium has only eight rows of seats, nicely raked.

Drawbacks:

• The aspect ratio is grotesque: 29 ft 4 in wide by 10 ft 4 in high or 2.8 to 1; 1.6 to 1 would be visually more comfortable.
• The wide proscenium and the short distance to Row A make for unspeakable sightlines.
• The building has little wing space, under 5 feet a side, making multi-set shows a nightmare.
• The stage door opens directly from the Stage Right wings into the parking lot, causing trouble in both light and sound control.
• Though remodeled recently, the dressing rooms won't hold more than a dozen people comfortably; that parking lot often serves as the greenroom.
• The panic doors open just in front of the proscenium, restricting the use of apron space.
• Front of house electricals hang low over audience members' heads; high-angle lighting is possible only with onstage instruments.
• The combination of cinderblock walls, damaged tile ceiling and odd proportions means the building has some acoustical freaks, like the hot spot in front of Row A where you can clap your hands and hear 17 distinct echoes.
• The slab floors in the front of house dictate audience seating in straight rows. Canny theatergoers try to switch sides at intermission in order to equalize the soreness in their necks.
• Electrical distribution takes up part of the already scanty Stage Left wing space.

In short, it takes ingenuity to put even the simplest show on this stage.

Approved Ben Teague web site

Home

Translation services

My theater pages

Town & Gown Players

The playhouse

Annotated plan

Books and plays

Soap opera features

Links

Get in touch