Noorda Theatre

Orem, Utah

 

 

The design for Utah Valley University's Noorda Theatre provided flexibility through innovation. The 45 foot high theater allows a myriad of options for audience, scene and stage layout. This new black box theatre, on the UVU Campus includes a flexible seating system that can be arranged with the actors in the center with seating on two, three or four sides or as a traditional proscenium. The main theatre has black walls, ceiling and floor. Spectators are much closer to the actors since there is no formal stage and plays can be set quickly. Instead of a traditional catwalk, the team designed a state-of-the-art walk-on ceiling grid made of woven stainless steel cables. It allows technicians to adjust lights rapidly and safely above the 17 foot high net. The project also included an extensive renovation to the existing theater area, involving a white-box theater, green rooms and theater scenery shops.

 

 

 

Client: Utah Valley University

Size: 11,700 new, 8,100 remodel

Cost: $2,000,000

Completion Date: July 2009

Awards: AIA Honor Award 2010

Photography: Paul Richer