There is a strong focus on the arts at Episcopal Academy, where students are encouraged to take part in the full experience the school has to offer. With the philosophy “learning by doing” and the addition of the new 600-seat theater to the Newtown Square Campus Center, now the arts can be fully integrated into each student’s academic experience.

The design and layout of the theater recognized the multi-use requirements, so that it can be used for drama (with untrained student voices), music, and speech presentations. Acentech’s acousticians designed the treatment of the ceiling panels, side walls, undersides of the catwalks and balcony face to provide sound reflecting and diffusing surfaces, which contribute to a sense of intimacy — desirable when the theater is used for musical performances.

Acentech’s audiovisual consultants designed a flexible and user-friendly sound reinforcement and presentation system that includes a digital mixing console, high-output loudspeakers, and high definition video projection. The video system utilizes remote-controlled cameras and a production switcher to allow events to be recorded and broadcast over the campus cable TV system. We designed the audiovisual system functions with access via an integrated control system, with custom-programmed touch panels that provide automated operation for novice and advanced users.