Theatre 101
Opened in fall 2009, Theatre 101 is the newest addition to the Theatre & Cinema performance spaces. It is a 42 x 42 square foot open space with a lighting grid at 18 feet above stage level. Audience risers and portable seating allow flexible staging configuration. This venue is to be used primarily for workshop productions directed by students and faculty, as well a regular performance classes. The new facility will have strong technical capability and a lobby front offering a new public face to the campus and the town of Blacksburg.
The Studio Theatre is a three-quarter thrust/modified proscenium designed by Theatre & Cinema faculty member Randy Ward. The house seats 214 and is most commonly used for the mainstage productions and the summer arts festival. The Studio features state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and video systems, and is located directly in front of the Scene Shop, making set construction and loading remarkably convenient. The stage incorporates a trap below and hidden vaums surrounding it, providing flexible actor access around the stage area. A dismountable second level balcony is a readily availabe addition to the performance space. Dressing rooms are located behind the shop.
Though not owned by the Theatre & Cinema department, the Haymarket is frequently rented for performances. This proscenium stage, measuring 34-feet across, lends itself to more traditional peices. Designed by George Izenour, the house seats 450 and is fully equiped with sound, lighting, and fly rail. Dressing rooms are located underneath the stage for easy access.
The Black Box Theatre is located on the second floor of the Performing Arts building. This versatile space has been used primarly for student-run workshop productions. The Black Box lends itself to manipulation and creativity, allowing productions to experiment with the staging and audience layout. The space is equiped with lighting and sound, and during the day is used as a performance classroom.
The Scene Shop is located in Squires Student Center directly behind the Studio Theatre. The 3500 square foot shop is fully functional, containing equipment for woodworking and metal fabricating, scenic art needs, and construction of motion control systems. The scene shop on average produces four complete sets for our mainstage productions during the year, as well as sets for the summer arts festival. A loading dock located directly behind the shop makes for easy access.
Located in the newly renovated Henderson Hall West, the Costume Shop is fully equiped with industry-standard machines and excellent resources for cutting, patterning, construction and finishing, fittings, and storage. The shop is busy all year round, not only with departmental productions but also with professional work from the surrounding area.
Henderson Hall and Theatre 101 house most of the Theatre & Cinema classes and rehearsals. The buildings contain three large studios, one of which is the Theatre 101 performance space, and dedicated classroom spaces. Additional rehearsal and classroom spaces are located in the Performing Arts Building.
