PlayhouseSquare Adds New NEXO M6 System For Hanna Theatre

The Hanna Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio, opened in 1921 and would go on to host such stage and film luminaries as Al Jolson, Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Ethel Barrymore, Ginger Rogers, Helen Hayes, Mary Martin, and Yul Brynner. PlayhouseSquare assumed management of the Hanna in August 1999 following its purchase of the Hanna Office Building, which houses the venue. In 2008, the Hanna underwent a renovation to add a thrust stage, re-work its seating to 550, and become the main performance base for PlayhouseSquare's long-time constituent, Great Lakes Theater.

Today, the theatre plays host to Shakespearean plays, big bands, musical theater, and corporate events. They recently upgraded the sound system to reflect the latest in line array technology, the NEXO GEO M620, installed by NAC Technologies, Cleveland.

"The system that was previously installed during the earlier remodel was a 'design by committee;' a nice system but it left a lot of dead spots," says Rick Galbraith, NAC Technologies. "Size and cost always weigh in, and the client was very concerned about the size of the array and also on a very tight budget."

No stranger to NEXO GEO Systems installed in three of the other PlayhouseSquare theatres (installed by NAC), Galbraith said they started by placing speakers in the NS1 prediction software, virtually arranging the array size, coverage, and SPL based on available rigging points. "Available rigging points was our biggest challenge, so after using the prediction software, we determined that three clusters of three M6 speakers would be ideal for the theatre. Considering the size of the clusters, the NEXO GEO M6 system sounds amazing; with zero complaints from the theatre or patrons."

The GEO M620 is a full-range unit for stand-alone, curved array or line array application. Extremely compact in size and lightweight, the GEO M620 uses a NEXO-designed long-excursion high-efficiency 6.5" LF driver and 1" x 1" throat driver on a BEA/FEA optimized HR Wavesource, to deliver a frequency response of 80Hz - 19kHz ±3dB with nominal peak SPL of 127dB. HF dispersion is 80° (120° horizontal), with 20° vertical coverage, 0° - 20° splay when arrayed. The M620 performs in a variety of configurations, facilitated by a fully integrated 3-point rigging system.

Robert Mingus, director of production for PlayhouseSquare, was instrumental in the decision to install the NEXO M6 in The Hanna Theatre. "Dave Cooper and Rick Galbraith of NAC have done an amazing job upgrading all of our sound systems here at PlayhouseSquare. We are very pleased and take great pride in the sound quality of our theatres, and I believe this is possible because of the great relationship we have with NAC and their craftsmanship."

Mingus said the NEXO M6 solved many challenges of The Hanna, but most importantly, sights the sound and compactness. "The M6 system sounds fantastic! Our three-box center cluster weighs only 76lb, virtually disappears, and is not in the way of lighting. With special brackets from NEXO, we were able to mount the three box arrays for L + R onto the proscenium for a very clean look. NAC then tuned the room to perfection, avoiding the many problems of getting the sound into the house and off of the thrust stage."

For more information on the Hanna Theatre, visit www.playhousesquare.org/venues/detail/hanna-theatre.

For more information on the NEXO GEO M6 system, visit www.yamahaca.com .