RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is a modern performance space in Downtown Columbus, Georgia, United States.
Introduction
The center first opened in 2002 with the completion of Studio Theatre, a flexible black-box style experimental theatre that seats a maximum of 250 people. Other halls in the 240,000 ft² (22,300 m²) facility include Legacy Hall, a 450-seat concert hall with flexible acoustics and a magnificent, $1,000,000 Jordan concert organ adorning the center of the second tier. The stage includes room for up to 60 orchestral musicians and 80 choral singers. The largest hall, Bill Heard Theatre, is a 2,000-seat three-level theatre. An orchestra pit and 60-foot (18 m)-wide stage are accented by enormous weaving ribbons of colored metal mesh that sweep across the theatre. Other spaces include an outdoor concert hall and rehearsal rooms in the Schwob School of Music. The Schwob School is a department of Columbus State University
Bill Heard Theatre
The Bill Heard Theatre is a 2,000-seat theatre with three levels: Orchestra,
Performances
RiverCenter has held host to famous musicians, dancers, actors, comedians, and entertainers from around the world. Notable performances include
Design and construction
RiverCenter's design team included internationally acclaimed Hardy Holzman Phiefer Associates (1981 Architecture Firm Award) and local firm, Hecht Burdeshaw Architects (credited with the
Technology
The RiverCenter is one of the most technologically advanced performance spaces in the state. In Heard Hall, the lighting booth boasts an Ion Lighting console, manufactured by world-renowned Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC). Racks of Sensor+ Dimmers can handle loads in excess of one million watts (1000 kW). In Legacy Hall and the Studio Theatre, lighting is controlled on ETC Exspression consoles. Almost all lighting instruments are provided by ETC.
Sound is mixed on a now discontinued Crest Audio V12 32 channel analog mixing console and heard on Eastern Acoustic Works Speakers. External processing (outboard- equalization, compressing, limiting) in the Heard Hall is done on Klark Teknik units. All halls boast the ability to record audio and video.
The rear walls of the auditorium are fitted with motorized acoustic curtains that can be adjusted to better suit the type of performance. To further improve acoustics, a large three piece orchestra shell ceiling extends from the stage proscenium. The entire mahogany structure can be adjusted with motorized counter-weight rigging.
An orchestra pit seating up to fifty musicians can be raised to house or stage position, adding four rows of seating, or an extended apron.
External links
• RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
Trivia
• The movie "The