Orpheum Technical Specifications
Seating Capacity | Loading Area | Stage Floor | Flying Capabilities | Stage Dimensions
Supplementary Equipment |
AC Power | Lighting | Front-of-House | Backstage | Projection |
Audio
Dressing Rooms |
Use of Hazardous Materials in Vancouver Civic Theatres
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
Seating Capacity
Orchestra: 1,442 + 12 WC*
Dress Circle: 203 + 4 WC
Balcony: 1,027
Totals: 2,672 + 16 WC
* WC (Wheel Chair accessible)
[top]
Loading Area
Loading Locations:
In the alley between Seymour and Granville Streets, enter from Smithe Street just West of the Seymour and Smithe intersection. Loading dock at truck level with an adjustable dock plate is under the overhang of a residential tower. Load-in through freight elevator down to stage and basement level. Elevator dimensions are: 5.90 m or 19' 4" long and 2.44 m or 8' wide with door openings 2.44 m x 2.44 m or 8' x 8' with a capacity of 5,443 kg or 12,000 lbs.
Alternate loading is through the stage door entrance at 865 Seymour St., down ramp from sidewalk level to stage.
Parking Restrictions:
Time limit on Seymour St. loading entrance, with no stopping between 7:00 am to 9:30 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on weekdays.
[top]
Stage Floor
- Maple - no stage traps or stage elevators.
- Screwing and drilling into floor allowed subject to approval.
Flying Capabilities
- Note - No Curtains or Flying System available
- Stage is enclosed within a permanent plaster orchestra shell with a crossover tunnel behind, extending from left to right stage. - The capability exists, through the use of a 2-cord pulley system, to supply two lift points for light loads such as a folding picture screen, banners, etc. These two positions are located approximately half way between up and down stage.
- Capability exists, through the use of a 5-line pulley system, to hang light loads such as folding picture screens, banners, etc. Pulleys are located along a line, 42' in length, extending right to left stage, 7' from the up stage shell wall.
Dead Hanging Points:
A total of 11 dead hanging points exist above the stage deck, each having a safe working load limit of 2000 lbs (907 kg) per point.
Above Stage:
2 points - downstage for lighting; 34'8"(10.6 m) elevation
2 points - downstage for sound; 34' 8" (10.6 m) elevation
2 points - available at midstage; 32' (9.7 m) elevation
2 points - available at upstage; 30' (9. m) elevation
Above Auditorium:
3 points-above auditorium seating 14' 9" downstage from edge of apron (1 - centre; 1 - 17' 7" each side of centre).
Rigging points are complete and ready to receive snap-hook of company chain hoist. No additional cable straps or rigging required above company chain hoist snap hook.
[top]
Stage Dimensions
Stage Enclosure:
Stage is enclosed within a permanent plaster orchestra shell with a crossover tunnel behind from stage left to right.
Proscenium Opening:
57' w x 40' h (17.37m x 12.19m)
Note: Clear plexiglass acoustic baffles suspended at height of 27' (8.23 m) above down stage apron, within the Proscenium perimeter.
Centre Stage to Stage Right Shell Wall:
28' (8.53 m)
Centre Stage to Stage Left Shell Wall:
28' (8.53 m) Stage Depth: 42' (12.8 m)
Note: 10' (3.048 m) of the down stage apron is undesirable for use as a performing area due to restricted sight lines from balcony.
[top]
Supplementary Equipment
Risers:
Consists of sections 4' x 8' (1.22 m x 2.44 m). Sections available in 8" (20.32 cm), 16" (40.64 cm) and 24" (60.96 cm) heights. Additional smaller sections also available.
Get-away Stairs: 4 @ 16" high.
Speaker’s Lectern: 1 wood @ 44 1/2" high x 29" wide. Equipped with reading lamp and microphone. 1 clear Plexi, equipped with microphones.
Conductor’s Podium: 1 @ 14" high (6' x 4')
Music Stands: 75 Manhasset Model, available with lights.
Chairs: 160 Black musician chairs with padded seats and backs.
Stools: 5 Percussion and 5 bass stools - padded.
Tables:
2 @ 6'-8' long expandable tables with burgundy skirts.
10 @ 6' long stacking tables
4 @ 8' long folding tables
Piano:
1 - Steinway 9' (2.74 m) Grand Model D.
1 - Yamaha Model W x 15; 48" tall.
Tuning cost payable by lessee.
[top]
AC Power
Tour lighting power:
1 - 400 amp 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle. Located upstage right.
1 - 200 amp 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle. Located upstage right.
1 - 100 amp 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle. Located upstage right.
1 - 60 amp 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle. Located upstage right.
1 - 30 amp 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle. Located upstage right.
Tour sound power:
1 - 200 amp, 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle electrical panel. Stage left or stage right on transfer switch.
Tour bus power:
1 - 40 amp, 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle. Located stage left (Seymour Street).
2 - 30 amp, 3 phase, 120/208V, 60 cycle. Located stage left (Seymour Street).
Floor Pockets:
12 - 20 amp circuits located around the periphery of the shell.
4 - 50 amp circuits located on downstageproscenium wall (2 each side).
Note:
• All 20 amp circuites terminate in 3 pin 20 amp twist lock connectors.
• A large stock of used roscolux colour filters, mounted in cardboard colour frames, is maintained and available for use; however, the theatre does not accept responsibility to meet any particular demands.
• Electric genie manlift available - maximum 24' high working platform.
[top]
Lighting
Control System:
1 - AVAB Pronto Console ETC Ion console, DMX 512 protocol. 256 channels, 192 - 2.4k dimmers.
Soft patch, dimmer per circuit.
Control booth located Front of House at back of balcony.
Front of House
(Permanently Installed)
Projection Booth:
3 - Xebec 3000 Watt (Xenon) follow spots, 1-Supertrouper carbon arc followspot
Ceiling Dome:
12 - 2,000 watt Niethammer 9 degree, 10" (25.4 cm) colour frames, iris and gobo holder included.
Side House Slots: (one each side)
8 - 1,200 watt Niethammer 6 degree, 7.5" (19.4 cm) colour frames, 12 x 24 variable beam, iris and gobo holder included.
[top]
Backstage
1st Proscenium Side Booms:
12 - S4 par each side (separate circuits).
2nd Proscenium Side Booms:
12 - S4 par each side (separate circuits).
2nd Proscenium Top Lights:
12 - Altman 6" (15.24 cm), 6" x 12", 750 watt Leko’s.
Balcony Rail:
4 - S4 26 degree.
Portable:
8 - S4 assorted.
Shell Cyc Strips:
9 - Three colour circuits surround lighting on backshelf with 71/2" x 71/2"(19cm x 19cm) colour frames.
All of the above lamps are 3200 degrees K. colour temperature.
Down Lights: In addition to the able lighting, the entire stage area within shell can be illuminated by permanently focused white down lighting to a level of approximately 125 footcandles - 3000 degrees K. This wash is designed for and used by musicians to read music.
Colour: While we stock a good inventory of commonly used lighting colour gels, we do not promise to have any particular colours that may be needed for your production.
[top]
Projection
Projector:
1 - Eiki 2000 watt EX 9100 16 mm projector equipped with 50 mm lens (40.6 mm to 63.5 mm and 61.0 mm to 91.2 mm zoom lens also available).
Note: Shared with the QET and therefore subject to prior reservation.
Slide Projection:
Projector shelf available, which can be installed on centre balcony face. 55' (16.8 m) throw distance to House screen hanging position. Capable of supporting two 12K video projectors. Assembly time: 1 hour.
Front projection screen available 271/2' w X 22' h (8.38 m x 6.71 m).
Assembly time: 1 hour.
The screen has to be suspended from a motorized truss system hung behind the 2nd proscenium arch, 23' upstage from front edge of stage.
[top]
Audio
Auditorium public address includes:
(a) A sound reinforcement left/centre/right system comprised of 13 Meyer MSL-2A loudspeakers, 6 Meyer UPA1C loudspeakers, 24 Meyer UPM-2 loudspeakers and 4 Meyer 650-R2 subwoofers. Patching facilities exist to allow control of system through touring mixer.
(b) A sound enhancement system feeding "ambiance" of the hall to the 39 under-balcony speakers.
(c) Sennheiser Infrared Stereo Hearing Assist System, with 30 receivers available.
Touring Mix Position:
Orchestra level, Right centre, Row 29 seats 41-54 inclusive, Row 30 seats 41-54 inclusive & Row 31 seats 41-53 inclusive. Audio connection to House system, intercom, and AC power available at that location.
Sound Console:
Soundcraft Series Four - 24 mono + 4 stereo inputs, 8 submasters, Stereo output. Plus: 8 Matrix outputs & 10 aux. sends. This console is located in a booth at the back of the balcony with an opening window.
System Processing:
2 - DBX Drive Rack processors
Central Speaker Cluster: 5 - Meyer MSL-2A loud speakers
Powered by:
2 - QSC 1.8 power amplifiers 1 - QSC 1.4 power amplifier
Left / Right Deck Speakers: 4 - Meyer MSL-2A loud speakers
Powered by:
4 - QSC 1.8 power amplifiers
Underbalcony System: 17 - Meyer UPM-2 ultra compact speakers.
Powered by:
3 - QSC 1.4 amplifiers
Overbalcony System: 3 - Meyer MSL 2C loud speakers.
Powered by:
2 - QSC 1.8 amplifiers
Side Speakers: 4 - Meyer UPA-1C loud speakers
Powered by:
2 - QSC 1.8 amplifiers
Sub Woofers: 4 - Meyer 650-R2 sub-woofers (dual 18" drivers in each box)
Powered by:
4 - QSC 1.8 amplifiers
Front Fill Lip System: 7 - Meyer UPM-2 ultra compact speakers
Powered by:
2 - QSC 1.4 power amplifiers
Portable Speakers: 4 - Eastern Acoustic works SM-122H floor wedges
Powered by:
2 - WSC 1.4 power amplifiers
[top]
CD Units:
1-HHB Burn-It Plus CD recorder
1-Marantz Pro CD player
Limiters:
4 - 166-A DBX. Rack mounted in sound booth.
Reverb:
1 - Lexicon MPX 500 reverb unit
Distribution Amplifiers:
1 - Rain stereo 8 outputs
Speaker Lines:
2 - Sub woofers
4 - Fold backs in 4 locations
2 - Front fill speaker lines for front of stage
Microphone Lines:
1 - Auxiliary mix (seating - upper orchestra)
9 - Stage front
16 - Left Stage
3 - Right Stage
8 - Orchestra shell ceiling
4 - Projection booth
32 - High level trunks (aux. mix - seating - upper orchestra)
3 - High level trunks (right stage)
2 - High level trunks (projection booth)
6 - High level trunks (balcony rail)
All microphone lines and trunks terminate on stage to 3 pin XLR connectors.
[top]
Program & Paging:
Complete paging program interrupt system to lobbies, dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, hallways, etc. from S.M. location down right stage.
Intercom:
Clearcom single channel to all operating stations from master station at S.M. location down right stage. Portable stations available.
Internal Telephone:
Aiphone back up system to all stations including main lobby from master station at S.M. location down right stage.
Microphones:
3 - AKG C414E Condenser Microphones
6 - Shure SM58
6 - Shure SM57
6 - Neumann KM184
2 - Neumann KM105
4 - channels of wireless microphone - Shure U4D (2 lav / 2 hh mics)
assorted other mics
Miscellaneous:
10 - Microphone booms
4 - Desk stands
4 - Goosenecks
10 - Mic stands (standard)
2 - Banquet stands
Assortment of stands, cables, splitter boxes, premixers, adapters, etc. availability subject to prior reservation.
[top]
Dressing Rooms
10 Star Dressing Rooms plus 2 Chorus rooms.
Stage Right:
• Principal artist dressing room located stage right, up stairs to level 1 WC and shower. ADSL available in that room.
• 2 dressing rooms on level 2. Up stairs to level 2. WC in each room. Shared shower in hallway.
Stage Left:
• 2 dressing rooms on level 1. Stair access only. WC in each room. Shared shower in hallway.
• 2 dressing rooms on level 2. Elevator access. WC in each room. Shared shower in hallway.
Basement:
• 1 Star dressing room 'A' (2 make-up stations), WC and shower.
• 1 Soloist dressing room 'B' (4 make-up stations), shower.
• 1 Soloist dressing room 'C' (4 make-up stations), shower.
• 'B' and 'C' share WC.
• 1 Male Chorus dressing room 'D' (19 make-up stations) with WC and shower.
• 1 Female Chorus dressing room 'E' (19 make-up stations) with WC and shower.
• 1 Green Room (6 makek-up stations). Equipped with fridge, sink and microwave.
• 1 Accessible washroom with shower.
• All are accessible by elevator. All are equipped with mirrors, make-up lights, ADSL.
• Dressing room 'D' and Green Room are 3 steps up from floor level.
Rehearsal/Catering Room:
• Located above stage on 4th floor off elevator left stage.
• Size: 291/2 x 621/2 x 14 h (8.99 m x 19.05 m x 4.27 m).
• Has adjoining kitchen.
• Availability subject to prior reservation.
Wardrobe:
• 1 Wardrobe room with washer and dryer, steamer irons and boards located in basement. Available only if staffed by local crew member.
[top]
Use of Hazardous Materials in Vancouver Civic Theatres
Substance Regulations
Government of Canada legislation requires that the use of "controlled" products in our theatres shall comply with the rules under WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System). Controlled products include:
- Compressed Gas
- Flammable and Combustible Material
- Oxidizing Material
- Poisonous and Infectious Material
- Corrosive Material
- Dangerously Reactive Material
WHMIS regulations require that:
(a) Anyone using controlled products in the workplace must be informed as to its safe storage, handling, use, and disposal.
(b) All containers of controlled products must have warning labels attached that meet regulation requirements.
(c) A MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for any controlled product must be available and be maintained in the immediate work area.
Some substances such as explosives, radioactive materials, and tobacco are covered under separate regulations. Smoking in our theatres, for example, is restricted under our Civic Bylaws to designated areas only within our building perimeter.
[top]
Occupational Health & Safety Regulations
Asbestos in the Workplace
Government of British Columbia legislation and regulations prohibit the use of asbestos materials in the workplace where such use would have the potential risk that asbestos particles could be inhaled into workers’ lungs. The authority for the establishment of the Industrial Health & Safety Regulations is found in Section 71(1) of the Workers’ Compensation Act. Further, Section 75(2) of the Act states: "Every person who contravenes or fails to comply with a regulation or order under Section 71 commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment not exceeding 3 months, or to both." [This amount has changed with the addition of C.P.I. increases over the years and now is roughly $32,000 (January 1992).] These regulations, in particular, prohibit the use of asbestos cloth and asbestos covered electrical cords including lamp extensions on stage lighting equipment. In order to fully comply with these regulations, such hazardous materials shall not, under any circumstances, be admitted onto the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Orpheum, or Vancouver Playhouse premises.
Please advise your appropriate technical staff and/or equipment rental companies of the above, and make them aware of the severe government penalties involved for failure to comply.
[top]
