Zayed'snew campus has space for up to 6,000 students - a dramatic increase over the 200 students enrolled when the university opened in 1998. The new theatre is part of a convention centre designed to involve the broader community of Abu Dhabi in performances and events on campus.
J.R. Clancy worked in partnership with the UAE team of J & C Joel to provide a combination of 20 counterweight rigging sets and 24 PowerLift motorised rigging sets. This system gives the new theatre plenty of capacity for raising and lowering scenery, lights, curtains, and an orchestra shell.
"The blend of manual and motorised rigging gives technical theatre students the opportunity to learn to operate both kinds of rigging, so they will be ready for whatever rigging they encounter in professional theatre situations," noted Charles Shatzkin, international sales manager for J. R. Clancy.
Twelve variable-speed PowerLift units with a capacity of 1,200 pounds each will be used primarily for scenery. Additional variable-speed units, each with a2,000-pound capacity, will raise and lower the electrics battens. Four double-purchase PowerLifts - making their capacity 4,000 pounds each - are used to raise and lower the four 2,075-pound sections of the Wenger orchestra ceiling.
Clancy also worked closely with stage lift manufacturer Serapid Inc. who supplied the motors for four stage lifts and an orchestra pit lift. Thirteen motors raise and lower these lifts and an accompanying set of masking panel actuators, at speeds of 0.001 to 0.1meters/second.
With so many elements in motion, Zayed needed a top-of-the-line computerized controller-and Clancy's SceneControl500 automated control system was chosen.
"Zayed University is a centre of excellence, and this new theatre truly illustrates its focus on innovation, inspiration and education," said Shatzkin. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with the team at J&C Joel to create this exciting new space for the students and the Abu Dhabi community."
(Jim Evans)
