Williams College
'62 Center for Theatre and Dance
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Client: Williams College
Project Type: New Construction
Seat Count: 550-seat Proscenium Theatre;
250-seat Studio Theatre
Construction Cost: $50 Million
Opening: 2005
Architect: William Rawn Associates, Boston
Theatre Consultant: Theatre Projects
Consultants
AD Scope: Acoustics, Audio & Video
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The '62 Center for Theatre and Dance at Williams College consists of a 550-seat proscenium theatre, a 200-seat black-box theatre, a 40-seat dance studio for rehearsal and informal performance, a directing studio, acting/dance studio, design and media classroom, scenic and wardrobe shops, department offices and other support spaces.
During the school year, the facility provides a state-of-the-art center for the theatre and dance departments. The center of student performance activity is the three-level flexible Studio Theater, supported by large rehearsal spaces for directing, acting and dance. During the summer months, the Proscenium Theatre serves as the new home of the renowned Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Among unique acoustical features, the main theater design incorporates numerous features to enhance the acoustic environment for dramatic and music theatrical presentations, amplified music, film projection and other presentation and performance uses. These include operable acoustic curtains, shaped wall surfaces and frequency-selective sound diffusive balcony fronts.
