Theatre Lighting Upgrade Proposal

Background

The present lighting system in the Small Auditorium of the Nechako Valley Senior Secondary School was purchased in the 1970s by the Theatre club of that time from the Prince George community theatre. At purchase it was already antiquated but deemed suitable for the limited amount of use it would receive in Vanderhoof. It is estimated that the present lighting control board was probably made in the early 1950s.

Around 1990 there was no theatre group operating in Vanderhoof so members of the former group donated the existing equipment to N.V.S.S. for school and community use. In 1992 the present Vanderhoof Community Theatre was formed as a committee of the Nechako Valley Community Arts Council. With the demise of the Arts Council, the Theatre group decided to apply for society status, which it is doing this month.

Around this same period, N.V.S.S. substantially improved the Small Auditorium as a theatre. Since that time the Vanderhoof Community Theatre has purchased additional lighting instruments and other equipment for the Small Auditorium. Most recently it purchased a follow spot at the cost of over $1,600. N.V.S.S. has also purchased additional lighting instruments.

In recent years it has become obvious that the existing lighting board, which is the "heart" of the lighting system, has not only become dangerous but severely limits the type of lighting which can be done in the Small Auditorium. There have been huge equipment improvements over the past forty years since the control board was built. Particularly with changes in lighting control over the past fifteen years due to computer technology, the present system is hardly recognizable any longer.

 

Objective

The goal of this project is to purchase and install an up-to-date lighting control system which will provide:

1. a safe lighting control environment;

2. flexible, expandable lighting control with the opportunity to light for the modern theatre;

3. an opportunity to train students on modern equipment that they will use in other theatre settings;

4. the ability to be portable to other locations within the school or community.

1. A Safe Lighting Environment

The present lighting control board was probably built in the early 1950s. The dimmer controls are sliding rheostats and are connected directly to the 20 amp power source. This means that the full 20 amps of power is literally at the fingertips - and in the lap - of the control panel user. The open channels for the sliders expose the rheostats to the top of the control board. The warning over the board not to drink or eat around the present board seems a vast understatement.

The new equipment separates the control board from the power source (the "dimmer pack") by up to 25' (further if necessary). The only power in the control board is the small current necessary to operate a keyboard and monitor. The control board is small, light, with simple sliders. The dimmer pack is fully circuit protected and complies with all contemporary electrical safety standards.

2. Flexible, Expandable Lighting Control

The present system controls 28 channels of 1.5 k watts per channel. Each slider controls one channel. For a light on a channel to change, that slider has to move.

The new system controls 24 channels (indefinitely expandable) of 2.4k watts per channel. There is the ability to fade between pre-set scenes manually by moving one slider. Several channels can be "patched" onto one slider. In addition, the new system allows complete computer control of all lighting changes. Up to 24 channels of lights can be instantly changed in a pre-determined manner by pushing one button.

3. Modern Equipment For Training

The present lighting control system is probably not found in another theatre in North America. It would certainly not be found in any professional theatre. Although students can receive valuable experience setting lights in our theatre and learning the fundamentals of lighting, the control equipment they will encounter anywhere else in the theatre world will be totally unrecognizable. They will not even have the basic terminology to understand the equipment they encounter.

The new system is both modern and popular. It is built and supported by Strand Inc., the most familiar lighting company in the world. It incorporates the most modern computer technology in a similar - although smaller - manner as major theatres. At the same time it is not difficult to learn the fundamentals of how to use it, ensuring that not only technicians and "computer hacks" will be able to gain hands-on experience.

4. Portable to Other Locations

The present system is hard-wired into the existing electrical system at the school. Even if a way was found to use plugs for these connections the control board is far too big and heavy to even consider moving.

The new system is totally portable. The dimmer pack connects directly into a four-prong, 3 phase circuit. It is the heaviest piece of equipment at 65 lbs. The control board connects directly to the dimmer pack and weighs 12 lbs. In addition there would be a 14" monitor.

The Cost

Strand Lighting LBX Control Console	$ 4,800
Control Console Software	$ 865
Colour Computer Monitor	$ 500
Strand CD80 Digital Dimmer Pack - 24 x 2400 w per channel	$ 8,050
COST:	$ 14,215
Taxes (14%)	$ 1,990
TOTAL COST:	$ 16,205

Contribution Goals

The total cost of the lighting control upgrade is too expensive for the Vanderhoof Community Theatre. As well, at a time of budget restraints, it cannot be expected that the school system can contribute a very high percentage of the cost. For this project to come to fruition, therefore, the community must be financially supportive.

The Vanderhoof Community Theatre is committed to using up to $2,205 of its accumulated profits toward this project. This represents almost all of our present bank balance.

It is expected that N.V.S.S. and School District 91 will be able to make an "in kind" contribution toward the installation of the system. It is also hoped that they will be able to contribute up to $2,000.

The remainder of the funding, $12,000, must be raised from community service clubs and local businesses.

Contributions toward this project would go a long way to ensuring that community and school theatre in Vanderhoof would be of the highest quality possible, and that our high school students would receive training and experience on equipment that would provide them with valuable skills in their future theatre endeavors.