Singapore School Theatre Opens with Daktronics Rigging

Singapore's School of the Arts (SOTA) opened its new Daktronics rigging equipped drama theatre in July in time for the new school year. Besides the drama theatre, the school houses two other performance venues -- a recital hall and a smaller studio theatre plus various studios and rehearsal rooms. SOTA integrates arts and academic curriculum and blends an inner-city school with a professional performance facility.

"When I initially visited Singapore's first independent, pre-tertiary arts school for youth ages 13-18, I knew this was no typical high school," says Mike Hyde, Daktronics rigging sales, Asia region. "They were looking for a sophisticated multi-purpose system accommodating performances of all levels."

Chris Dales, of the Singapore Arup office (in collaboration with Theatreplan, UK), provided the acoustics and theatre consulting services. "For the powered flying system in the drama theatre, we were looking for an affordable powered hoisting solution that could meet the needs of both an educational establishment, and the technical requirements of a venue supporting professional artists for a ticketed audience," recalls Dales.

The local dealer, Siong Ann Engineering, secured 44 over stage line-sets and four lateral stage line-sets (two each side) for the 499-seat drama theatre. The Vortek Classic hoists are operated by one Daktronics VAC controller and remote pendant with six points of access.

"Creating an environment where visiting professionals interact with the student body is core to the school's ethos, and this is reflected in the building architecture. It was important therefore that the theatre fit-out contained technical systems that could be used by both students and professional technicians alike." Dales added, "The VAC controller is relatively simple, intuitive device to use, which is important given that it will be used by students."

Though Singapore is a long way from the Daktronics manufacturing facility in the United States, "We have found the Daktronics engineers to be extremely accommodating during their visits, especially in supporting the local installer and in preparing the systems for commissioning," said Dales.

Alan Loh, SOTA's technical, added, "The system's capabilities have served us well from the start since the commissioning. The in-depth training is helping us maximize the functionality and capabilities of the entire system."

SOTA is in the midst of Singapore's arts and heritage district and next to The Cathay, a 17-story cinema, shopping mall and apartment building. The Singapore-based architecture firm WOHA won the JØrn Utzon Award for International Architecture in 2010. This year the firm received the Royal Institute of British Architects International Award for the School of the Arts (SOTA) outstanding architectural design. The $121-million-dollar structure is truly an inspirational backdrop for spontaneous or rehearsed performances.