New York University, Abu Dhabi

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During one of the company’s most complex installations, J&C Joel carried out a complete fit of Stage Engineering Solutions and Drapery at New York University, Abu Dhabi.

New York University, Abu Dhabi Campus is a research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science college, which attracts students from around the world. It has a dedicated Performing Arts Centre which houses three main theatrical spaces – a Main Theatre, Recital Hall and a Black Box multi-purpose space, as well as 25 studio spaces with rigging infrastructure.

To meet the acoustic requirements for the project, all three main performance spaces had a variety of acoustics installed, which were portable depending on the performance type. These ranged from Acoustic Flaps in the Main Theatre auditorium’s ceiling, Concertina Acoustic Banners in the Recital Hall and Acoustic Ceiling Reflectors in the Black Box space.

In the Main Theatre, J&C Joel’s engineers installed a variety of theatrical rigging equipment, ranging from Motorised Performance Drum Hoists, with a travel of 1m/s and Motorised Chain Hoists which provided fixed rigging positions. In addition, an adjustable proscenium was supplied and installed to change the width of the proscenium opening. This was accompanied with a set of motorised tracks and drapery to provide a variety of theatrical drapery scenarios.

The drapery provided included FR Velvet Velour Front of House drapes and Pelmets for the Main Theatre and Recital Hall. In addition, black Wool Serge 565 (WS090) masking and perimeter drapery was supplied and installed throughout the various spaces in the Performing Arts Centre.

To complete the drapery package, an automated brail safety curtain was installed to provide a safety barrier between the stage and the auditorium, in the event of a fire.

J&C Joel then installed a motorised orchestra lift from Serapid Link-Lift with a travel of 11m (one of the deepest lifts that J&C Joel has ever undertaken), along with, 9 self-climbing De Sisti hoists, 2 bi-parting Erail tracks and 4 Chain tracks, all of which deployed J&C Joel’s custom dyed IFR Velvet Velour drapes.

To complete the Main Theatre, J&C Joel supplied and installed an orchestra shell.

Each motorised element of the project was connected to integrated automated control systems which included real time graphic display, provided by J&C Joel.

The Recital Hall performance space is designed as a much smaller intimate acoustic space. Here, J&C Joel engineers installed seven Motorised Package Hoists.

The Black Box is as a multifunctional space for a variety of staging applications with its ability to work in-the-round, thrust staging and traditional end on staging formats. Within the space, J&C Joel’s team installed a series of Motorised Chain Hoists BGV C1 with a 250kg capacity and Winch Systems for the acoustic reflector panels, connected via the automated control system.

Finally, in the workshop at the rear of the Main Theatre, J&C Joel installed 2 manual counterweight systems and a fixed pipe grid system in the studios for hanging lighting equipment to allow the space to be adapted when required.

Ben Richardson-Owen, J&C Joel’s Head of International Projects, commented: “Just the size of the project was extremely challenging, I believe the J&C Joel team and all those involved in the project should be proud of the outcome and I am honoured we got to be a substantial part of it.”