Black Box Theatre for St Catherines School
St Catherines School has been a DIB Audiovisual client for close to 15 years and we enjoy a strong long-term working relationship with John Toulantas – Director of ICT.
The school approached DIB to help them transform their gymnasium into a theatre space. The school referred to the new space as the black box theatre, but it was formerly changed to the Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre when it was opened earlier this year by the Hon. Julie Bishop.
Whenever we approach a complete retrofit of any space for another purpose, we take into consideration all the major sound and vision challenges.
And on this occasion, the school was also looking for an innovative visual element to give a unique 3D effect for performances. In short, they were looking for a WOW factor. Our Recommendation was to use an LED Video Wall which really delivers wow when compared with other visual technologies like projectors. A video wall can be used as a backdrop for stage performances or alternatively for everyday slide presentations. Even school movie nights.
“While the LED wall has incredible application for digital stage backdrops and sets, it also enables so much versatility and flexibility to the space beyond the performing arts”. John Toulantas
We also installed a central control system along with the LED wall. The Extron Touch Control gives simple yet flexible power over the AV system, including sound, stage lights and even curtain controls. This also included vision cabling for HDMI inputs for the LED Wall from various locations around the performing arts theatre.
Let’s talk size – this video wall is 6.5m by 3.5m which is a huge display.
Another WOW factor in our installation was the design and production of a custom bracket to attach the display to the wall. This allows the school to bring the display up to 1 meter out from the wall creating a space backstage where students can pass behind during performances.
The system also included the ability to mirror the control panel with an IPAD – allowing the teachers or staff the freedom to move around the room and control the AV system from anywhere within the space.
On this project we worked in collaboration with the various trades to incorporate the control of the LED Wall, Audio, Lighting and the curtains all from the installed touch control panel to allow simplified use of the system.
Time was invested with the school to discuss the various scenarios the space would be used in so that the control system was simple to use – very minimal instruction for someone to come in and use the system in different modes.
“A key functional requirement for our new theatre is a system that allows anyone using the space to control the AV resources. The Extron Touch Control panel enables this to happen, making this space simple for everyday use.” – John Toulantas
The key components in this project were:
A large 6.5m by 3.5m Aurora LED wall
A custom bracket allowing the whole display to be moved up to a metre out from the wall.
A complete Extron control system including Touch Control, control processor & audio control processor.
A Kramer HDMI matrix that tied in all the vision inputs
St Catherines Black Box Theatre
For assistance with your school’s audiovisual requirements, do not hesitate to contact a
DIBAV Solutions Consultant today via info@dibaustralia.com.au or 03 9457 4800.