Discover The Possibilities For Your Performance Arts Theater

Built in 1942 with exposed hand-hewn beams, knotty pine siding, and bare wood floors, the iconic Ted Shawn Theater was the country’s first performance space designed specifically for dance. Theatrical technology has transformed since that time, and when they set out to renovate the space, the theatre owners sought a company who could facilitate the interconnections essential for proper performance of “state-of-the-art” equipment while retaining the look and feel that early visitors to Jacob’s Pillow experienced.

Boston Light & Sound (BL&S) has a longstanding relationship with the project’s theatre consultant, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. When it became time to choose an A/V integrator for the project, they recommended working with BL&S to execute the extensive A/V system wiring infrastructure they designed.

This infrastructure was installed in such a way as to not detract from the look and feel of the historic structure. This included supplying a 55" display in the lobby as well as eight 32" displays mounted throughout the backstage and dressing rooms. These displays are connected to cameras so performers and patrons waiting in the lobby area can see what’s happening on stage. In addition to the 15 plates for interconnection throughout the theatre, a back-of-house paging system, an assisted listening system, and a robust set up for streaming and recording performances were installed and tailored to meet the end user’s needs.

Balancing Custom Stage Sound & Projection Installations

As part of the Central Arkansas Library System, the Ron Robinson Theater needed to enhance its cinema presentation capabilities while preserving its use as a performance venue. Boston Light & Sound was brought in to design a system that met commercial cinema standards while maintaining the room’s flexibility.

The team at BL&S upgraded the Ron Robinson Theater to a Barco SP4K-15 4K laser projector and Dolby IMS server for high-resolution playback, paired with a micro-perforated screen for crisp visuals. For audio, a QSC Q-SYS system integrating wireless iPad control ensured clear sound and easy operation. Given the theater stage’s limited fly space, our team developed a custom rigging solution to fly both the projection screen and loudspeakers out of sight when not in use, and coordinated with local trades to install a projection port without altering the theater aesthetics. The result is a modern, cinema-ready venue that transitions effortlessly between screenings, live shows, and community events.