WSDG Completes Balcony Renovation for the 1920s Art Deco Gem, the Avalon Theatre

Global acoustic consulting and audio-visual integration firm WSDG has announced the completion of a crucial set of balcony renovations at the historic Avalon Theatre in Easton, Maryland. The performance venue has been updated with world-class acoustics, state of the art production lighting, and audiovisual capabilities, while still retaining its iconic 1920s art deco look and feel. Nearly a century after its completion in 1922, the Theatre remains a vibrant hub of community life for the nine-county Eastern Shore territory east of the Chesapeake Bay. As a host for both nationally known and local performers, the 423-seat venue presents a variety of musical and dramatic theatre, symphony orchestras, and other musical acts, but can also be configured for banquets and cabarets, exhibitions and ballroom dancing.

Early in the renovation process, the Avalon Foundation, which runs the Avalon Theatre as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, retained WSDG to complete a master plan study of the long-term renovations. Those plans included theatre expansion, AV upgrades, and balcony reconstruction. As the Avalon Theatre no longer screens movies as its primary source of revenue, the removal of the old projection booth allowed for the reconstruction of the balcony along with upgrades to the spectators' sight lines, comfort, and safety. To perform what Joshua Morris, partner and COO of WSDG, calls "a high-intensity seating and platform layout," the firm took measurements to create extensive 3D models of the new balcony setup. With the plans in place, Morris said the working relationship naturally evolved into WSDG accepting the commission to improve the balcony itself.

That mission demanded that neither the seat count nor the acoustics of the balcony be compromised, while also improving the comfort, safety, and visual experience of the audience. "Because we are engaged in so many of the disciplines this project required -- architecture, acoustics, AV, lighting, ergonomics, 3D visualization, interior design -- we presented Avalon with an integrated design approach," Morris says. "This allowed us to greatly streamline the communication and enhancing the efficiency of the collaboration process."

For better ergonomics, the balcony's seats needed to be widened as much as possible and positioned to be focused on stage performers, rather than a screen. Certain railings that obstructed the view of some seats needed to be replaced with better railings and improved lighting for visibility. The balcony's walkways also needed better tread depth and tread visibility, as well as height consistency. Finally, all the renovations needed to be aesthetically consistent with the Avalon Theatre's beloved art deco motif.

Morris and his team worked closely with Al Bond, president and CEO of the Avalon Foundation, and Jessica Bellis, the COO/CFO, who headed up the interfacing and reviewing procedures with the local heritage committee. Together, they paid respect to the theatre's aesthetic character. The rear of the balcony needed particular attention. The projection booth's walls, door, and floor were removed and dimmer racks, exhaust ducts, speakers, and other elements were relocated or reappointed. "Al's work in this realm was vital to getting this approved and built," Morris says. "It would have been difficult if not impossible for us to do this without it."

WSDG helped to match the new balcony's tin ceiling to the existing tin ceiling, and The Avalon Foundation selected the new chairs and carpet to enhance and harmonize the old. In the end, the team succeeded in increasing the newly designed balcony's seat count to 219, while increasing the width of each seat by 2" and maintaining the excellent acoustics. "We were able to create a new balcony experience that is a quantum leap from what was there," Morris says. "It's more comfortable, with better sight lines and more safety features."

Avalon Theatre-goers this season will enjoy the upgraded balcony experience when taking in operas by George Frideric Handel, Giacomo Puccini, Philip Glass, and the Gershwins, as well as concerts of classic rock, bluegrass, Americana, and other genres.