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Fox Theatre
Renovation Project

(now known as the Watson-Stiefel Theatre)
1350 Seats
Salina, KS

Before	After

We were contacted in early 2002 by The Fox Theatre’s board of directors. They asked us to review a specification for the sound and lighting system for the renovation project of their 70-year-old theatre. Since the theatre had been closed since 1987, they didn’t know what type of events they would be doing, but they wanted something that could handle everything from local receptions to some national acts and plays. When we saw the “rider acceptable” bid, which for starters included a 24ch. Behringer console, and 16 par cans, we had to tell them that no touring group would accept this system. That is when they asked us to help design the new system. The criteria for the design was simply: sound and look great, but not take up any space, and not cost too much!

Aesthetically, we couldn’t change much at all. This theatre is one of 10 theatres designated by the White House in the Save America’s Treasures program. The renovation project was over $3 million. They didn’t want to see a bunch of loudspeakers and, in addition, structurally we had some limitations too. So we ended up with a Stereo L/R loudspeaker system hanging under the proscenium. The speakers are in front of a black curtain so they blend in very nicely. The subwoofers are on castors and can be placed on stage corners as needed.

The theatre was originally for movies, so the stage is not very large and real estate is precious. We were allotted a small amount of space for gear. We have one 6’ Amp rack with 8x QSC ISA amplifiers and a Shure P4800 processor. We also installed at Stage Right an Input/Output rack with a 40x8 snake and 2ch. Intercom with drops at Stage Left, FOH sound and lighting and two spot light locations.

The FOH position had to be constructed. It was built to accommodate a traveling system if needed. The house system uses a 44 channel Soundcraft Series 2 mixing console; TC, Presonus, and DBX processing; Sennheiser wireless; and Shure and AKG wired microphones.

Traveling productions can hook into the electrical power and there are 8 extra sends with the snake system if they want to use the existing console with their own FOH drive rack.

Opening night saw Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts playing to a well-dressed sold out house.

According to Technical Director Bill Tuzicka “There were many obstacles in the way of the physical installation of the equipment. MSM technicians were very professional. MSM did a great job on this installation!”

Check out the article on this installation at QSC's Website and at Mix Online or check out The Stiefel Theatre homepage