{"data":[{"id":"231","date_start":"September 6, 2011","title":"Los Angeles, here we come!","photo":"\/files\/news_items\/laoffice_thumb.jpg","body":"\"\"\r\n\r\n

We've just opened our first office on the west coast - but don't call us newcomers! We've been working here for 30 years, and we're thrilled to now have a permanent home in Los Angeles.\r\n\r\n<\/p>

You've probably run across some of our more visible west coast projects, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall<\/a> and Kodak Theatre<\/a>. But if you look around, you'll see that our west coast work represents our practice as a whole, including regional theatres, university work, small-scale projects, performing arts centers, and renovations.\r\n\r\n<\/p>

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We design and plan performance spaces of every size and complexity, and we offer a broad range of services from auditorium and theatre equipment design to operations and business planning. As designers, managers, technicians, and performers, we know first-hand how these buildings should work from the inside.\r\n\r\n<\/p>

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Meet our Los Angeles team
<\/span><\/b><\/p>

Michael \"Looking Forward to Food Trucks\" Ferguson\r\n
<\/b>Michael<\/a> is the director of our new Los Angeles office. He joined Theatre Projects in 1998 and since 2006 has been splitting his time between Theatre Projects and his own theatre planning and design firm, Theatre Strategies Group. We're excited to have Michael back on board full-time to lead our Los Angeles office. \r\n<\/p>

Born and raised in California's Central Valley, Michael worked throughout California before ending up in San Jose, where he worked as the lighting director and assistant production manager for the San Jose Repertory. As the Rep's assistant project manager for their new theatre, Michael was introduced to and later hired by Theatre Projects. His design and production experience includes theatre, dance, performance art, circus, and live musical concerts in over 130 theatrical venues nationwide. Michael's current work in the arts includes an on-going production collaboration with musician\/producer\/author Stephen Wade and lighting direction for San Jose Taiko.\r\n<\/p>

\"I'm really excited about opening our new LA office. This has been a goal of both Theatre Projects and mine for years, and it feels great to see it come together. For the past decade almost a quarter of our work has been in the US west and southwest. By opening this office, we have the opportunity to service and support those projects better. And besides, how do you not want to live in a place where some of the best food in the city comes off the back of a food truck?!\" said Michael. \r\n<\/p>

Keith \"The Architainer\" Gerchak\r\n
<\/b><\/b>Both a working actor and a registered architect, Keith<\/a> has been an essential member of our design team since 2004. He recently moved from New York to Los Angeles to continue his acting career. \r\n\r\n<\/p>

Before joining Theatre Projects, Keith was a project director at the theatre architectural design firm van Dijk Westlake Reed Leskosky. Keith has performed in over 75 venues across the country, in roles ranging from Marlin in Disney's Finding Nemo<\/i> the Musical to Motel in Fiddler on the Roof <\/i>opposite Paul Sorvino. He frequently contributes articles on theatre design and sustainability issues. \r\n\r\n<\/p>

When asked about our new Los Angeles office, Keith said, \"My first reaction was, 'Wait, we don't already have an office in LA? I moved out here almost 2 years ago, thinking we did!' In all seriousness, with an already extensive catalog of high-profile projects, a veritable who's who of architectural and acoustic collaborators specializing in performing arts centers, and an increasing demand for venues in the cultural and entertainment capital of the western US, the time and place are right for this office. Plus, the commute beats flying back to South Norwalk!\"\r\n\r\n<\/b><\/b><\/p>

Benton \"I Left My Heart in San Jose\" Delinger
<\/b><\/b><\/b>A director of Theatre Projects and one of our most experienced theatre consultants, Benton<\/a> will split his time between our Connecticut and Los Angeles offices, working closely with Michael to develop our relationships on the west coast. \r\n\r\n<\/p>

Having grown up in California, Benton moved to Connecticut in 1998 from San Jose where he had spent eight years as the production manager for the San Jose Repertory Theatre. While at the San Jose Rep, he collaborated with Theatre Projects as the Rep's project manager during the design and construction of their new facility. \r\n\r\n<\/p>

\"The LA office is great for Theatre Projects. The California arts scene is wonderful and rich, with so many different cultures adding flavor and transforming their communities. I'm very happy to be able to have an office so close to where I grew up and cut my teeth in theatre...did Michael say something about food trucks?\" said Benton. <\/p>

\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/b><\/b><\/b>Our new Los Angeles home
<\/span><\/b><\/p>

Our Los Angeles office is on the top floor of the historic Spring Arts Tower<\/a>, located in the city's Gallery Row regeneration district. Once home to the Citizens National Bank, the building now provides office space for more than 100 creative companies and independent artists, including designers, architects, photographers, and painters.\r\n\r\n<\/p>

We're excited to become a part of the developing downtown district. Besides being the home of the performing arts in Los Angeles, downtown is also the center of transportation for the city, so it's a great location for us. \r\n\r\n<\/p>

Come visit us at our new home: \r\n
453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1230, Los Angeles, California 90013, T 213 375-3688\r\n\r\n<\/p>

The Theatre Projects team is based in Connecticut, London, Shanghai, and now Los Angeles!<\/i>\r\n\r\n<\/b><\/b><\/b><\/p>


Photo credits:\r\n
Top: Walt Disney Concert Hall, Architect: Gehry Partners, Photo: Hufton + Crow \/ View Pictures \/ Rex Features\r\n<\/i>
Middle left: Kodak Theatre, Architects: Rockwell Group, Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn, Altoon + Porter Architects, Photo: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences\r\n<\/i>
Middle right: UCLA, Kaufman Family Garden Theater, Architect: Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, Photo: Tim Griffith\r\n<\/i>
Bottom left: American Conservatory Theater, Architect: Gensler, Photo: Marco Lorenzetti, Kobar\/Hedrich Blessing\r\n<\/i>
Bottom right: Julianne Argyros Stage, South Coast Repertory, Architects: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Photo: Jeff Goldberg\/Esto\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/i><\/p>","desc":"\r\n\r\nWe've just opened our first office on the west coast - but don't call us newcomers! We've been working here for 30 years, and we're thrilled to now have a permanent home in Los ..."},{"id":"229","date_start":"August 4, 2011","title":"John Coyne joins University of North Carolina School of the Arts faculty","photo":"\/files\/news_items\/coyne-rgb-thumb.jpg","body":"

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John Coyne<\/a>, principal consultant, has been offered an exciting position at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts<\/a> as the chair of the scenic design department. He'll join the faculty at the start of this coming school year. John plans to continue his relationship with Theatre Projects as theatre designer for the renovated Cincinnati Music Hall, as well as joining us on future projects. <\/p>

\"I'm really looking forward to working at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, but it does mean that I have to leave my full-time position at Theatre Projects,\" John said. \" I'm extremely proud of the work I've done with Theatre Projects, and that I've had the honor to work on some of the best theatres in the world. And I look forward to future collaborations.\" <\/p>

As a licensed architect as well as a scenery and costume designer, when John joined Theatre Projects in 2002, he came with the ideal background of both architecture and theatre. He quickly adapted those skills to the art of theatre consulting and led the designs for numerous projects including the Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center<\/a> (Dallas, TX), New World Center<\/a> (Miami Beach, FL), and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center<\/a> (Athens, Greece). John became a principal consultant in 2004 and a partner in 2006.<\/p>

While his daily presence, energy, and enthusiasm around the office will be greatly missed, we all wish John the best and look forward to future collaborations with him. <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
","desc":" John Coyne, principal consultant, has been offered an exciting position at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts as the chair of the scenic design department. He'll ..."},{"id":"225","date_start":"June 3, 2011","title":"Richard Pilbrow's latest book: A Theatre Project<\/i>","photo":"\/files\/news_items\/atheatreproject_thumb.jpg","body":"

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 <\/p>

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The first copies arriving in
our US office, and Richard savoring the moment!<\/i><\/p><\/td>\r\n

Richard Pilbrow's<\/a> memoir A Theatre Project<\/i> is available now. Subtitled A Backstage Adventure: Triumph, Disaster, and Renewal that Changed Stage Lighting and the Shape of Theatre<\/i>, the book is the story of both his life and of Theatre Projects, a company he founded over 50 years ago. \"It is the tale of a dream . . . one that came true with audacious success, turned into a nightmare, but emerged again to endure and enjoy success around the world,\" explains Richard in the book's introduction. <\/p>

For more on the book, visit the publication section of our website: http:\/\/www.theatreprojects.com\/resources\/publications<\/a> <\/p>

\"This is the remarkable story of how an upstart enterprise, Theatre Projects, shook up the world of theatre. Establishing the professions of stage lighting, sound design, and theatre consulting in Britain, Theatre Projects went on to revolutionize theatre design in the United States and internationally.
- PLASA Media<\/p>

\"The author of the book happens to be one of my favorite folks of all time. I can barely imagine any time more enjoyably spent than in reading what follows in the book . . . He is the MASTER . . . and, thank heaven, wonderfully silly with it. My life has benefitted immeasurably from his being embroiled in it, as my closest friend and colleague.\"
- Tony Walton<\/p>

\"A Theatre Project <\/i>is also a window into one of the secrets of Richard Pilbrow's success and that is collaboration. No theatrical endeavor, whether it is a performance, a theatre, or performing arts center can be realized without collaboration . . . It is a true honor to call him a collegue and I must admit that his generosity and perseverance inspire. No one embodies the best of this crazy world of the theatre more than Richard Pilbrow.\"
- Joseph Volpe<\/p>

For more, visit the book's website: www.atheatreproject.com<\/a>
<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

","desc":"  \r\n The first copies arriving in our US office, and Richard savoring the moment!\r\n Richard Pilbrow's memoir A Theatre Project is available now. Subtitled A Backstage ..."},{"id":"224","date_start":"June 2, 2011","title":"Benton Delinger speaking at upcoming ECHO Digital seminar","photo":"\/files\/news_items\/echo_digital_thumb.jpg","body":"

Benton Delinger<\/a>, director, will be speaking at the first in a series of new seminars being presented by ECHO - the European Concert Hall Organization. The seminar, called ECHO Digital, will be a two-day event focusing on the latest applications of digital technologies from performance streaming and distance learning to marketing and audience development.<\/p>

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Benton has been invited to speak about the New World Center<\/a> in Miami Beach Florida, a dynamic interactive campus for the New World Symphony, one of America's leading and most innovative music academies. Combining highly flexible spaces with forward-looking technology, the performance and rehearsal spaces transform instantly into broadcast studios for recording and long-distance learning. With Internet2 connectivity, advanced audio systems, and video projection integrated throughout the facility, performers and teachers can interact with far-flung audiences or students in real time.<\/p>

The New World Center, designed by Gehry Partners, Nagata Acoustics, and Theatre Projects opened in January.<\/p>

ECHO Digital will be held Monday, June 20 and Tuesday, June 21 at The Sage Gateshead<\/a> in Gateshead England. <\/p>

Other speakers include: <\/p>