By Todd Hensley, ASTC, and Michael Burgoyne, ASTC PERFORMING ARTS:
Today’s patrons of the performing arts are seeking more than a
Shook imagines an evening from the point of view of two patrons who have high hopes for their new arts center. Marcus and Alicia hadn’t been to their city’s new arts center yet,
lot to be desired. They never liked walking up a dozen stone steps to together. Their car rounded the corner, and they saw it. The entire front façade of the building was glass – a three-story wall of windows framed by the setting sun. Though they had seen the new arts center as Marcus easily navigated his way to the front of the building. He looked up and saw clear signs directing him to the parking area. Alicia grabbed her purse and headed toward the door.
there was a spacious open counter that resembled a concierge desk in a nice hotel. People could get tickets, check a coat, or place a pre-show order for a drink without having to go to three separate places. As she waited for Marcus, Alicia noticed the sound of strings and turned to see a quartet playing at the other end of the lobby. She smiled. Patrons were chatting and moving freely throughout the space, stopping to - -
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE
est civic jewel of their city. They’d visited arts centers like this while on vacation, and at last they were about to discover their very own. The lobby inspired curiosity. Rather than the predictable utilitarian
- ture. Curves replaced right angles. Nooks with cushioned seating re- placed stark empty passageways. The lighting drew their eyes upward while creating warm comfort on the ground level. Instead of looking for the doorway to their aisle, Marcus and Alicia felt compelled to wander together, enjoying each other’s company after a hard work week. They felt welcome here, as if they had been personally invited. They noticed the people around them. From their vantage point on the upper level, they could see hundreds of arts patrons circulating through the unique, asymmetrical pattern of the staircases in some- thing of a spontaneous dance. There was no crowding or waiting in long lines; everyone seemed to be enjoying the event, though it hadn’t yet begun. They caught the eyes of a pair of Marcus’ old college friends and motioned for them to come up and join them. The four of them ducked into a side spot created by the curved lobby shape and discussed getting a drink after the show. The show was about to start, so Marcus and Alicia parted from their friends and approached the door to the theatre. Since they had purchased tickets online beforehand, they simply showed the usher their phones for a quick scan and walked in. They easily found their the walls and the curvature of the balcony infused the space with a delightful elegance. As they sat, Alicia noticed that the bank of wheel- chair access seats across from them had a particularly good view in the new theatre and made a mental note to invite her grandmother to the all at once, the ushers shut the doors in a simultaneous snap that sent
48 Facility Manager Magazine 48 Facility Manager Magazine
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