Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 1977 - 8

phony, as well as major sports events and hits from the
Broadway stage. The entire interior of the vast domed
structure provides an unobstructed view of the stage
from any seat in the house since there are no supporting
columns breaking the huge open space. This was achieved
through use of a "Triax" laminated wood dome fabricated
and installed by Koppers Company, Inc. The dome has a
clear span of 200 feet, rising 80 feet above floor level. The
Triax system is practical for domes up to 600 feet in
diameter.
The Theatre, attached by covered concourse to the
Aladdin Hotel, boasts a "thrust" stage extending forward
of the proscenium arch, in contrast with the traditional
house in which the entire stage is inside the proscen ium.
The theatre's flyloft is held to be one of the world's
largest. The proscenium opens to 130 feet - twice the
normal width - and scenery can be moved up anywhere
over that expanse. Even the Ice Capades, will be able to
erect its entire portable arena within the confines of the
huge setting. Technical facilities are so efficient, that it
would be possible to present a basketball game, and an
hour after it is over, put on a full stage production and
then follow that up with a disco dance setting.
An innovative sound and lighting system, at peak use
requiring 100,000 watts of power, is considered one of
the most advanced in modern application. Some 100
speakers are connected to the lighting system, which
utilizes 2000 bulbs and 200 fixtures. All are linked to a
computer which can change with the sound.
PACKAGE PUBLICITY SERVICE
PERFORMANCE AT THE PALACE

PLAYS

FINAL

Package Publicity Service, the prominent service
organization used by thousands of school, college and
adult regional theatres across the U.S., was one of a
number of outstanding theatrical organizations that were
jolted by a real estate earthquake in New York in December, when all tenants of the famous, tradition-encrusted
Palace Theatre Build ing were suddenly forced to vacate
their offices by a new fire department regulation.
Package Publicity Service solved its sudden problem
by moving to a NEW ADDRESS - Room 1314 at 1501
Broadway, New York, NY 10036 (another noted theatrical edifice that was headquarters from 1924 to 1966 of
Paramount Pictures Corporation and also houses USITT)
with a new telephone number, 212-354-1840.
Supplier of theatrical publicity materials for more
stage attractions than any other organization in the world,
PACKAGE PUBLICITY SERVICE is also publisher of
the eminent SIMON'S DIRECTORY of Theatrical Materials, Sgrvi~s and Information.

MORE FACILITIES FOR PERFORMING ARTS AT
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-AUSTIN
A massive construction contract was awarded by The
University of Texas System Board of Regents on December 10, 1976 to build the remaining facilities of a multistructured complex at University of Texas-Austin that
will bring together the teaching, administrative, library
8

SPRING. 1977

and performing activities of the College of Fine Arts.
Zapata Warrior Constructors, a division of Zapata
Constructors, Inc., of Houston, received a $31,590,000
construction award for the College of Fine Arts and
Performing Arts Center.
The contract awarded is for five new contiguous
structures including:
A 3,000-seat Concert Hall.
A five-level Fine Arts Administration and Library
Building.
A six-level, L-shaped Music Building with a 700-seat
recital hall.
A 400-seat Opera Laboratory Theatre.
A Drama Workshops Building.
The Regents authorized a total cost of $40,829,568
for the five new structures, a figure that includes the
construction contract, theatrical rigging and lighting
equipment, orchestra shell, movable furnishings and
equipment, concert organ, 115 prefabricated music
practice room modules, landscaping and irrigation, air
balancing, and various fees and miscellaneous expenses.
Construction of the new fine arts complex, which
includes 462,000 gross square feet of floor space, is
expected to take more than three and one-half years,
with completion scheduled sometime in 1980. Architect for the complex is Fisher and Spillman of Dallas.
Two other projects conceived as part of the overall
expansion of the College of Fine Arts have already been
completed and were opened for the first time last fall.
They include large additions to and partial remodeling
of the nearby Art and Drama Buildings. Included in
the Drama Building addition is the new 500-seat B. Iden
Payne Theatre, the first performing space to be opened
in the fine arts complex.
Dean Peter Garvie of the College of Fine Arts says
"the combined facilities of the new center will be among
the very best in the country. We have been planning for
some time for the best possible use to be made of themboth for performances originated by us and for others we
will bring here for the benefit of the whole University
and the community."
The 3,000-seat Concert Hall, which University officials
say will be somewhat comparable to Houston's Jones Hall,
will accommodate presentations of grand opera, musical
comedy, ballet, concerts and recitals. Seating for 1,750
will be available at the orchestra level, with two balconies
seating 650 and 600 persons, respectively. Elevators
will serve all levels of lobbies in the Concert Hall.
The Fine Arts Administration and Library Building
will include the administrative offices for the College
of Fine Arts and for the Performing Arts Center, a student
lounge, and the fine arts library of 140,000 volumes (exclusive of printed music and non-print medial. Included
for library usage are 550 reader spaces, three seminar
rooms and library offices.
Facilities for art history also are planned for the Fine
Arts Administration and Library Building, including
offices for the art history faculty, the art slide library

Continued on

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

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USITT

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 1977