Madeira Hall
St. George's School Arts Center
Newport, Rhode Island


Seat Count: 425
Project Type: Repurpose
Opening: 1999
Architect: Sasaki Associates
Theatre Consultant: Theatre Projects
A/V Installation: North American Theatrix
AD Scope: Acoustics, Audio and Video

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At St. George's, students have a number of opportunities to pursue interests and develop abilities in the performing arts. A large percentage of the student body receives music instruction on an individual basis, and dance and drama round out the school's offerings. Three formal dramatic performances are staged each year, including the annual winter musical which allows for individual performance opportunities uniting the musical and dramatic arts. These productions have been a great success and are a high priority for the school.

In the past, these productions were mounted in the gymnasium. A recent school expansion included new athletic facilities, allowing the old gymnasium be to converted into a dedicated performance venue. The basic dimensions of the gym were in fact quite suitable for such a conversion. With essentially no change to the walls or ceiling, an intimate 425-seat facility was developed within the existing structure including a wrap-around balcony. The main floor has side terrace seating, a sloped main floor area and a stepped seating area behind. This seating plan allows the room to be used well below its maximum seating capacity without feeling empty.

The design includes a stage extension lift that can be lowered to audience level for increased seating capacity, or can be lowered to basement level to form an orchestra pit. The mechanical systems design consists of a simple open-ended duct approach resulting in a practically noiseless system with good air distribution.

Audio and video systems were designed for ease of use by students and are integrated with the acoustics.