A new production of Racine's Phèdre will be the inaugural production of the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College in Annadale-on-Hudson, NY. The Center opens April 25, 2003, with Phèdre running April 26 through May 3.
Designed by architect Frank Gehry, with acoustics by Yasuhisa Toyota, the $62 million complex houses two spaces: Theatre One and Theatre Two. Each theater was planned to fulfill specific performance needs: to accommodate complex lighting and scenery, to provide the flexibility needed for diverse types of performance, and to enhance the rapport between performers and audience.
Theater One, an intimate space with a seating capacity of 900 people, an 80-foot-by-40-foot stage with a full fly system, forestage lift and acoustical shell, and broadcast and recording capability. The theater will accommodate orchestral and chamber music, opera, drama, musicals, dance, and lectures.
Theater Two, a black-box venue with flexible seating capacity accommodating up to 300, has a smaller orchestra pit, traps, and a modified fly tower. These two theaters are situated under one roof, along with rehearsal studios and support facilities. Together, they provide an outstanding home for Bard’s Theater and Dance programs, and for a variety of productions to be produced and presented by the Center.
Phèdre is directed by JoAnne Akalaitis, with sets by Gordana Svilar, costumes by Kay Voyce, lighting by Joel Moritz, and sound by Andrew Pluess.
Richard B. Fisher Center/credits:
ARCHITECT: Frank Gehry
Gehry Partners, LLP
Santa Monica, California
ACOUSTICAL DESIGNER: Yasuhisa Toyota
Nagata Acoustics Inc.
Tokyo, Japan and Santa Monica, California
THEATER CONSULTANTS: Richard Pilbrow and John Tissot
Theatre Projects Consultants
South Norwalk, Connecticut
OPENING DATE: April 25, 2003
ACOUSTIC DESIGN TEAM: Nagata Acoustics Inc.
Yasuhisa Toyota - Room Acoustics
Robert F. Mahoney & Associates
Robert Mahoney - Assistant to Nagata Acoustics
THEATER DESIGN TEAM: Theatre Projects Consultants
Richard Pilbrow
John Tissot
Brian Hall
John Runia
Michael Nishball
Michael Ferguson
SOUND, VIDEO & COMMUNICATIONS:
Engineering Harmonics
Philip Giddings
Jeffrey Bamford