By Tucker Reilly, News Assignment Editor
After breaking down last week, the stage lighting system at the Rigas Theater in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is getting a state-of-the-art upgrade.
The system, first installed in 1995, was custom designed for the theater and had been reliable for two decades before breaking down. Although no official cause has been given for its failure, the aging technology had been nearing the end of its life expectancy, according to Quick Center Executive Ludwig Brunner.
Due to the system’s long lifespan it had been performing its tasks without the use of digital technology, an advancement that has become more prevalent in the past decade.
Fortunately for the Rigas Theater, Brunner said an upgrade like this had been in the works for some time.
“Due to funds coming from an extraordinarily generous gift, plans to replace the entire lighting system were already in place for work to start in June 2020,” said Brunner. “The new digital system will be the most up-to-date system available today, designed for the Rigas Theater.”
With a project this large comes a caveat: replacing an entire system takes time. Clubs and organizations on campus will have to relocate events elsewhere for the foreseeable future.
Music lecturer Laura Peterson said the music department has already started the process of finding new venues for previously scheduled performances and concerts.
“Obviously the lighting system breakdown affects us quite a bit, and there are important rehearsals that would normally be held in the hall as well,” said Peterson. “It’s not just looking for a performance venue, but for a venue that can accommodate dress rehearsals too.”
“It’s especially important for the three senior capstone performances scheduled this spring, since these recitals are the culminating event in the collegiate career of a music major, and our students spend many months preparing for them.”
Currently, Brunner estimates the installation will take two to three months. After the completion of the project, technical staff will undergo a full training period before opening again for operation. A date for the reopening of Rigas Theater has not been announced, but work is expected to start soon.
“Unfortunately, there is no short-term fix. Every such system needs to be custom designed since no theater is alike,” said Brunner. “We are in talks with the lighting company in Syracuse, New York, and are doing our best to get installation started at the earliest date possible.”
reillyt19@bonaventure.edu
