Behind the Scenes of the Theatre:

The Richland Performing Arts Center is one of the area’s most unique theaters. It is a unique achievement of a vision, initiative, artistic accomplishment, stunning architecture, and technical facilities with impeccable acoustics. The 887 seat proscenium theatre is located at One Academic Avenue, in the Richland High School.  Built in 2007, many theatrical events performed by amateurs and professionals have performed on our very stage we call home today.

Our theatre hosts performances ranging from school assemblies, concerts, musicals, plays, and dances, to full scale theatrical productions.  It is used by the school district and is also available for outside hire.

The theatre has many technical facilities with a 48’ wide proscenium arch by 18’  high by 45’ deep.  The stagehouse also has a full Fly System with 35 line sets, four of which house orchestra shell ceilings.  The single purchase counterweight arbors allows for each line set to have a 1300 lb. capacity and travels from a minimum in trim of 4'-0" to a maximum out trim of 44'-0". All battens are 58’-0” in length and are constructed of 1-1/2” ID Schedule 40 pipe. The house has enough weight to counterbalance each line set.  Five of the line sets carry their own electrical wireways for in-house stage lighting. 

The facility has an orchestra pit measuring 8'-0" d x 32'-0" w, which may be used as a covered stage extension when not in use by the orchestra.  The pit can also be built at house level to accommodate more seating for an audience.  When used as an orchestra pit, it can accommodate up to 25 musicians.

The theatre has a very extensive lighting system with two catwalks, two box booms (tormentors), and five electrics on stage.  The new ETC Congo Light Board has 1024 submasters and can control 1,024 channels in DMX Universe A, with another 1,024 Channels on DMX Universe B, which we use for all in house intelligent lighting. The console is normally located in the control room, but can also be plugged in anywhere on the computer network.  We have over 300 circuits for use with our lighting fixtures ranging from ETC Revolutions, ETC Source Fours, ETC Parnels, to our Elation Pro Wash and Pro Spot Intelligent Lights.

The house sound system was custom designed by Renkus Heinz with three loud speaker clusters and four delay speakers in the rear of the house.  This truly digital sound system delivers crystal clear sound, all controlled by the Midas Verona 400 Sound Board.  The sound console has over 48 inputs, with 16 programmable sub groups, 12x4 matrix, and full band equalizer on each channel.  The house has over 25 microphones including a Sennheiser Wireless System with countryman microphones for acting.

The building was designed by the architectural firm of L. Robert Kimball and Associates in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.