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SPOTLIGHT STUDENT EXPERIENCE IN THEATRE AND DANCE SPACES

How to Put Students First With Show-Stopping Spaces

Meet Our Presenters

sharing secrets to creating show-stopping spaces that put student experiences in the spotlight

Mary Black
​

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Director
​School of Theatre and Dance
​Millikin University

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R. Carson Durham

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AIA, Principal
Lead Designer
BLDD Architects, Inc. 

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Tony Forman
​

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ASTC, Principal
​Nextstage Design

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Scott Pfeiffer
​

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FASA, Partner
​Threshold Acoustics

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Jessica Whitlock​

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Senior Associate
BLDD Architects, Inc.
​(moderator)

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bringing a school together

​If you took a walk around Millikin University's campus last year, you may not have realized the School of Theatre and Dance existed.

​Now, the Center for Theatre and Dance has created an extraordinary home for the nationally ranked school.
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12 Buildings

Students and staff were scattered across campus
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Program Enrollment Increase

Program enrollment on the rise
​over the past 5 years 
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Center for Theatre and Dance

Spotlight on the students and program in the heart of campus

Movement
  • Four acting studios
  • Two dance studios
Design and Production
  • Two design classrooms and practice rooms
  • CADD and design studios
  • Lighting, design, and sound labs
  • Costume, wig, dye, and craft spaces, including storage
Performance
  • A 260-seat flexible theatre (complete with orchestra pit, balcony,​ control booth, tech gallery, tension-wire grid, and dressing rooms)
Connection
  • Offices and collaboration spaces
  • Three-story student lobby
  • ​Learning Stair

SECTION ONE

MOVEMENT

dance and acting studios

dance studios

Spacious dance studios
Multi-functional for all dance styles
Wall-mounted and portable barres
Mirrors with tracking drapes
Expansive windows and adjustable lighting
Visibility and privacy​​

acting and voice studios

Spaces to experiment and explore
​Acoustics for big and small sounds
Storage options

Collaborative bulletin boards and white boards
Portable large-screen video monitors

SECTION TWO

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

design and production labs, costume studio and support spaces, sound and lighting labs

design  
​
classrooms

Natural light
Digital teaching technology
Flexible desks for drawing and drafting
Sink for cleanup
​Swipe access security

costume studio and  
support spaces

Natural light
State-of-the-art equipment
Storage space
Hair and makeup classroom
Spray booth for paints and dyes

sound and lighting labs

Various platforms of professional technology/consoles
CADD lab
Previsualization and programming software


SECTION THREE

PERFORMANCE

large, flexible theatre

performance  
​
theatre

Flexible 260-seat theatre to create any atmosphere
Moveable seats
Accessible orchestra pit, balcony, control room, and tech gallery
Tension-wire grid
Dressing rooms
Selectable stage height


SECTION FOUR

CONNECTION

campus placement, outdoor performance spaces, flexible lobbies and collaboration spaces

campus
​​
placement

At the heart of campus
360-degree building access
​Welcoming and approachable

outdoor
​​
performance

Smaller venues for showcasing student work
Terrace theatre with cable passes
​Open and welcoming to passersby

lobbies and collaboration
​​
spaces

Visually dynamic spaces
Technical components support performance anywhere
Charging stations
Variety of furniture
Small and large seating areas for students to connect
​
Every space in the building is a place for connection, learning, and teaching. The School of Theatre and Dance is no longer hidden on campus; it's front and center.

- R. Carson Durham, AIA, Principal​, BLDD Architects, Inc.

Contact Our Presenters

sharing secrets to creating show-stopping spaces that put student experiences in the spotlight

Mary Black

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Director
​School of Theatre and Dance, Millikin University

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R. Carson Durham

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AIA, Principal
Lead Designer
BLDD Architects, Inc. 

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Scott Pfeiffer

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FASA, Partner
​Threshold Acoustic

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Tony Forman

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ASTC, Principal
​Nextstage Design

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BECAUSE LIFE DESERVES DESIGN

CENTRAL ILLINOIS​
CHICAGO
BLOOMINGTON, IL @ Co:Create
CHAMPAIGN, IL @ Sharespace
DUBUQUE, IA @ Idea Campus
FT. WORTH, TX @ Common Desk
PEORIA, IL @ The Nest
SPRINGFIELD, IL @ Innovate Springfield
ST. LOUIS, MO @ Cortex Innovation Community


© 2022 BLDD Architects Inc. 
​e:  hello@bldd.com
t:  844-784-4440
  • INNOVATE
  • WORK
    • PreK-12
    • Higher Education
    • Senior Living
    • Religious
    • Branded Environments
    • Healthcare
    • Fitness & Recreation
    • Commercial
    • Community
    • What's Brewing
  • CONNECT
  • Learn
  • PROJECT BID DOCUMENTS