Boston Conservatory

Founded in 1867, and one of the nation’s oldest performing arts schools for undergraduate and graduate level training in music, dance, and theatre, Boston Conservatory’s renovation of the 23,000-square-foot Boston Conservatory Theater main stage at 31 Hemenway Street, and a 15,000-square-foot addition on an adjacent lot at 27 Hemenway Street, created a centerpiece for the intimate campus. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided audio-video and theatre consulting for both spaces

The theatre includes a sound reinforcement and playback system, wireless microphone system with RFV antenna distribution, lecture system, assistive listening system, production intercom, show program monitor and back of house paging and production video. The back-of-house program monitor/paging system allows students and staff to monitor activities within the theatre and provides communication between production staff and performers. Connection panels, cable pathways and technical power are provided to support performances and rehearsals.

A digital sound mixing console is located within the control booth and a simple lecture system is available onstage to allow faculty to conduct classes and rehearsals without the need for a sound operator.

Production video camera positions are located at the cross aisle and at the rear of the audience seating to allow archival recording of performances.

The new 27 Hemenway Street facility houses two large dance studios, a theatre department studio, and a music department rehearsal hall/performance space. Dance and rehearsal studios include sound playback system equipment racks and loudspeakers.

Architect: Handel Architects
Acoustics: Kirkegaard Associates
Size: 38,000 SF
Completion: 2010