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Performance Spaces Designed as Systems

Space, sound, light, and technology working as one.

We design integrated environments for theaters and live experiences. From concept through commissioning, every system is aligned to how the space performs in real use.

Auditorium design with integrated lighting, acoustics, and AV systemspng

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Introducing
Studio B1

Some places shape how a profession evolves.

One of those places is a classroom in the basement of the University Theatre at the Yale School of Drama.

It was known simply as B1.

For decades, it served as a working laboratory for theater design. Students studied how performance spaces function, worked through drawings and technical problems, and learned from George Izenour, widely regarded as the father of modern theater consulting.

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That lineage of thinking about performance spaces as integrated systems continues in Studio B1.

Founded by Todd Berling, Studio B1 brings together theater planning, acoustics, and AV design into a single coordinated discipline. The studio works closely with owners, architects, and design teams from early programming through commissioning to ensure theaters function as intended in real use.

Studio B1 will make its public debut at USITT26.

Featured Projects

Explore our work across theaters and performance spaces, where space, sound, and systems are designed to work as one.

Performance Spaces
Designed to Perform

Bard College -

Conservatory of Music

The new, state-of-the-art László Z. Bitó ’60 Conservatory Building contains general-use classrooms, faculty offices, teaching studios, two percussion studios, a 150-seat recital hall, a student lounge, instrument storage lockers, and the main Conservatory administrative offices. Key members of the Studio B1 team served as Theater Consultants and technical systems included seating and staging systems, performance lighting, rigging, track and drapery and Audiovisual Systems

Services:

Theater Design

Acoustics

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

St. Ursula Academy -

Theater Adaptive Reuse

Serving as the Theater, Acoustical and AV technology systems consultants for this renovation of the St. Ursula existing “Gymnatorium.” The project included new seating layout with stepped riser system, new dressing room / makeup spaces, new lighting and sound control booths, orchestra pit, and state-of-the-art theater technical systems including stage lighting, stage rigging/drapery, audio-video systems and removable orchestra pit filler platforms. The $2.5M project was completed in May, 2017.

Services:

Theater Design

Acoustics

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheater

Studio B1 served as theater planning and

audiovisual design consultant for this landmark civic venue as the centerpiece of a new six-acre public park on a reclaimed MSD water treatment site in Jeffersontown. The 2,400 SF stage is equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems supporting a wide programming range, from local high school performances and community events to touring productions and Louisville Orchestra concerts. The open-air grass seating accommodates audiences of 1,500 or more. Studio B1’s systems design was coordinated closely with the building’s bold

curvilinear architecture to ensure technical

performance matched the venue’s aesthetic

ambition, delivering a premier outdoor entertainment experience for eastern Jefferson County.

Services:

Theater Design

Acoustics

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

Dover High School Theater

The new 176,000sf Dover High School delivers

modern, high-performance learning environ-

ments in a classically styled, community-land-

mark setting – the key design goal derived from

the district’s extensive community engagement

and educational visioning processes. Key

members of the Studio B1 team served served

as the Theater, Acoustical and AV technology

systems consultants for new 1,200 seat theater

space. The theater includes a full-fly system with

motorized and counterweight rigging systems,

state-of-the-art stage lighting and audio-video

systems, an orchestra pit, multiple front of house

lighting catwalks, an audio house mix control

position and stage lighting control / followspot

booth. The new theater also includes a remov-

able orchestra shell system with both tip/fly ceil-

ing clouds and rolling side/rear orchestra towers.

The theater opened in December 2020

Services:

Theater Design

Acoustics

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

The Andrew J. Brady

Music Center

Unique in design and capacity, the Andrew J.

Brady Music Center opened to rave reviews in

August 2021 and is unparalleled to any other

music venue in the region. Key members of the

Studio B1 team served as Theater and Acousti-

cal Consultants. Designed to fill the community’s

need for a year-round, flexible music venue,

the Brady Center features a general admission

main floor and two balconies and is able to host

multiple configurations for indoor concerts up

to 4,500 seat capacity, all year long. With an

adjustable capacity, the new venue allows for

intimate, connected experiences between fans,

their favorite artists and their peers. The Brady

Centers maximum capacity is significantly larger

than any other indoor performance venue of its

type in the region. The facilities acoustics have

been widely acclaimed by touring Artists and

sound engineers alike.

Services:

Theater Design

Acoustics

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center

Studio B1 served as the Theater, Acoustical, AV

and Broadcast technology systems consultants

for this multi-venue Performing Arts Center and

Performing Arts Academy. Completed in 2006,

the $25 million Performing Arts Center includes

a 750 seat theater, a 150 seat flexible black box

theater, a TV Studio, an audio recording studio,

dance and drama studios, ensemble rehearsal

spaces, graphic art studios, traditional class-

rooms and complete compliment of theater

support spaces. In addition to providing all of the

Theater Planning and Acoustical Consulting for

the project, the firm designed all of the theater

and broadcast technology systems.

Services:

Theater Design

Acoustics

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

Harlem Stage -The Gatehouse Theater

The Gatehouse Theater was carved out of a

New York City landmarked 1920’s water pump

station. As the Theater Consultants for the

project, our team designed a 200 seat flexible

black performance space that supports dance

and drama educational programs during the

day and world-class music and dance artists

in the evening. The facility, once an integral

part of the water distribution system for NYC, is

now the home to Harlem Stage and their varied

performing arts programs. The $21M project was

completed in 2006.

Services:

Theater Design

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

Notre Dame Academy

Studio B1 served as the Theater, Acoustic, and Audiovisual Consultant for Notre Dame Academy's new $4.5 million Performing Arts Center in Park Hills, Kentucky. Completed in 2009, the 405-seat proscenium theater supports the school's active performing arts program while also serving as a primary venue for the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and regional dance companies. The project included the design of state-of-the-art theater technical systems tailored to support a wide range of theatrical and musical performances.

Services:

Theater Design

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

UC Blue Ash Muntz Hall

Services:

Theater Design

Audiovisual

Lighting Deisgn

Woodfill Elementary School

Studio B1 provided Theater Design, Acoustic Design, and Lighting Design services for the renovation and replacement of Woodfill Elementary School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Designed to remain operational throughout construction, the new facility includes a flexible performance space where the cafeteria stage can open directly into the adjoining gymnasium, accommodating both large assemblies and more intimate performances. Studio B1's scope included theater planning, noise isolation, room acoustics, band room layout, motorized rigging and drapery systems, and stage lighting design.