Facilities

The Department of Theatre and Dance is housed in Johnson Hall, which it shares with the Department of Mass Communication. Johnson Hall was built in 1920 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings. In 1993, a $6.5 million renovation and addition to Johnson was
completed, greatly enhancing the quality and quantity of space for both departments.  To view an image of Johnson Hall during the renovation, click here.  In 2005 the department installed new floors in both dance studios in Johnson Hall. 

PERFORMANCE SPACES

JOHNSON THEATRE Johnson Theatre is a proscenium theatre seating 281 on the main level and 50 in the balcony in a continental plan (no center aisle). The proscenium opening is 37' wide by 22' high. The stage extends 33' upstage of the plasterline with an additional 16' downstage of the plasterline when the orchestra pit is covered. The stage floor is partially sprung with a composition board covering. Digital sound and lighting control rooms are located at the rear of the auditorium. A Telex communication system links the control rooms, box office, fly gallery, grid, stage manager positions stage left and right, orchestra pit, scene and costume studios, green room, dressing and makeup rooms.  Below the stage are storage areas for furniture.  In 2006 we installed a new sound mixing board in the all-digital sound booth.

JOHNSON STUDIO THEATRE Johnson Studio Theatre is a flexible "black box" 38'x 35' with a floor to grid height of 17'. A 5' wide tech deck 11' above the floor surrounds three sides. Lighting positions are supplied by the rail of the deck and a suspended steel pipe grid. The Studio Theatre is equipped with a dimmer-per-circuit 36 dimmer lighting system by Colortran, newly installed in 2006. A portable sound system is located on the tech deck. Movable risers and folding chairs provide seating for up to 100, dependent on configuration. The flooring is composition board.  New drapes were hung in 2006.

INSTRUCTIONAL SPACES

Dance Studios The large (2400 sq. ft.) and small (1200 sq. ft.) dance studios are similarly equipped. Both have sprung floors with Harlequin Cascade floor coverings installed in 2005, 15' ceilings, 10' mirrors covering one long wall with double-height fixed barres on the opposite and on one adjacent wall. Both studios feature sound systems as well as smart classroom digital technology. Students have access to lockers and changing rooms next to the studios.  An additional 2600+ sq. ft. dance studio is located nearby in the new West Center.

Acting Studio The acting studio is 1300 sq. ft. with an 11' ceiling height. The floor is wood, one short wall has floor to ceiling mirrors, and black drapes are on track to block out the mirror and the windows on the other three walls. The space is furnished with stackable chairs (replaced in 2007) and 18" cubes.

Lecture Room  The Lecture Room, 700 sq. ft., seats 50 students, and is equipped with a blackboard, projection screen, video monitors and VCRs, as well as smart classroom digital technology.  The instructor's podium is equiped with PC and MAC computers and an Elmo digital overhead projector.  This technology enables the use of online resources, web presentations, CD and DVD presentations, Powerpoint presentations, and WebCT in the classroom setting.

Computer Lab The Theatre & Dance computer lab is equipped with iMac workstations, featuring 24" screens.  Currently we have 14 student workstations and one teaching station.  The lab is also equipped with an LCD computer projector, a Canon Imageprograf W6200  printer/plotter and a high speed HP LaserJet 5200tn laser printer.  Some of the software titles available for use by students are VectorWorks, Photoshop, Final Cut Express (video editing), Garage Band (audio editing), Virtual Light, Lightwright, Renderworks, Poser and Painter(costume design), Dreamweaver and iWeb(web design), and Lifeform (choreography).  All machines are connected to the internet for research and printing to networked printers.  New chairs purchased in 2006.  New iMac machines with 24" screens purchased in 2007.

SUPPORT SPACES

Scenic Studio  The scenic studio provides for the entire department's scenery and property construction needs. The shop is 31'x 38' with an effective ceiling height of 16'. Sound doors on one side lead directly to the theatre and a roll door on the opposite wall opens on the loading dock. The studio equipment includes band, table, mitre and radial arm saws, a drill press, welding equipment as well as a variety of portable power tools and hand tools.

Costume Studio The costume studio is located adjacent to the scene shop and is 18'x 33'. It is equipped with Bernina sewing machines, cutting tables, sergers, and laundry facilities.

Green Room & Makeup Room The green room, makeup room and a cluster of four dressing rooms are located on a hallway adjacent to the costume studio and are accessible to and on the same level as both stages.

Rock Hill, South Carolina   29733
Copyright © 2003 - 2005 Winthrop University
University Disclaimer Statement