Constellation instantly transforms the acoustics of a performance space, enabling a venue to enfold audiences in a host of different ambient sonic characteristics. Constellation's ability to provide an optimum balance of late reverberant sounds for musical performances makes it invaluable for multipurpose halls such as UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall or Jazz at Lincoln Centre's Appel Room, but the technology is proving increasingly popular in solving noise problems in restaurant settings, cavernous open office plans, and lecture halls.
According to Peter Dean, production manager at Berkeley Rep, Constellation's enhanced intelligibility will allow greater freedom for directors and actors to block and play scenes. "This is a 270-degree thrust stage, which means that actors are directly facing only a third of the audience at any given time," Dean says. "Without Constellation, the actor has to be acutely aware of projecting out to the audience. We're now eliminating some of that complexity, which makes it easier for the actor to react to the emotions in the scene."
James Ballen, Berkeley Rep's sound supervisor, expects that Constellation will also benefit older patrons with marginal hearing loss. "We will still offer the mandated ALS systems, but with Constellation's enhanced intelligibility, some patrons with borderline problems may find they no longer need to wear headsets."
Constellation will be pre-loaded with a number of presets for different acoustical environments, with others custom programmable for each production. "Even though you are sitting in a relatively small, enclosed room, we can make it sound like a castle or concert hall," says Dean.
Constellation's loudspeakers can also double as a sophisticated surround sound system. "This will revolutionize the way we think of sound design in drama for regional theatre," says Ballen. "With the comprehensive loudspeaker coverage provided by Constellation, the possibilities are practically limitless."
(Jim Evans)
