The Black Box at Spotlight
The Black Box at Spotlight is a 1600 sq. ft combination studio and black box theater (80 seat capacity.) The space was designed specifically to serve both as one of the areas most comfortable spaces to hold performing arts classes as well as contain a fully functioning intimate performance space. It can be turned from a studio into a performance space within half an hour accommodating either stadium seating or cabaret-style tables and chairs. Modular platforms are available to be used to raise performance areas as needs dictate.
This facility contains...
Stagestep fully sprung black floor
Ballet Barres (can be removed for performances)
Full-width mirrors ( can be masked with integrated black Rosebrand curtains)
Yamaha CLP-330 Clavanova piano
Separate building entrance and lobby area (The Yip Harburg Room)
Dressing Room (on theater level)
Mezzanine containing Green Room, lighting, sound booth and video capture/streaming gallery.
12/4 Audio Snake at theater deck running to sound booth in the mezzanine
Integrated sound reinforcement with Community Professional speakers
Behringer X32 Compact Digital Mixer (40-input, 25-total-bus Digital Mixer with 16 Programmable Mic Preamps, 17 Motorized Faders, Virtual FX Rack, and 7" Color TFT)
24- 20 amp circuits (Edison) available located on an array of Schedule 40 black pipe spanning the width of the studio theater.
9 pipe hung dimmer packs (Elation and Lightronics)
ETC Nomad running EOS control software. Including ETC 40 fader surface, large touchscreen monitor and Lightspeed moving light controller.
Wide variety of ETC, Philips Selecon, Altman conventional instruments and several LED moving lights
Live Streaming / Video Capture
The venue is fully configured for multi-camera Full HD video capture and live streaming including the following technology. Spotlight Media Productions is the organization behind its design and operation.
The Black Box has a permanent install of several HD PTZ NDI Cameras as well as 4k zCam E2C cinema camera with four “virtual” HD crops. This provides us with a complement of 7 camera positions and virtually unlimited coverage of the performance area. Adding camera’s for special needs takes moments.
Additionally, using the NDI HX Camera app for mobile, anyone with an android phone or iPhone in the audience can be a “virtual” member of our camera crew and become part of the live stream (supported for limited events only).Video switching is done using vMix 4k software running on 2 (for redundancy) robust bespoke computers. vMix gives us the power to add multiple cameras, videos, NDI sources, remote guests using vMix Call, images, audio, web streams, Powerpoint, titles, virtual sets, chroma key, and much more to our productions. Integration with social media for live viewer interaction, Q&A, etc. is done using vMix Social.
Camera control - Unlike the conventional approach to camera control, one operator per camera, our approach is designed to provide HD quality robust, multi-camera capture and control while being virtually invisible and silent to the audience. Camera control is done using NDI, vMix, and camera control API technology along with custom integration with tools coming from the world of computer Gaming. This allows us to smoothly control and capture video with only one producer at the helm.
Live streaming is done using a vMix PC with Nvidia 3070. For professional events, we stream directly to our ticketing/streaming partners Passages.com in full HD. For educational related events, we often stream to our Spotlight Youtube Live channel.
Video connectivity using Newtek NDI assures maximum flexibility. Provisioning a new camera position involves plugging the camera into a POE ethernet switch. Additionally, through the use of NDI Bridge we can integrate remote facilities, talent, cloud based assets, and more.
Audio capture for video streaming/recording is done through our 32 channel digital mixer connected as an NDI audio source. Primary capture is done using 2 RODE NGT-1as a stereo pair hung from the lighting grid overhead with additional microphones available to augment as needed. The mix for the video capture/streaming is on a separate bus from either the Front of House or Monitor mixes. All audio assets are available as separate source signals and available for flexible routing on premise or as NDI asserts through NDI Bridge.
Extensive far end communication is available as needed for remote guests and production.
Cat 6 throughout the entire facility
Gigabit Netgear professional switches
Robust Comcast Business grade internet connectivity with 1G/40m service.
The above is representative of the equipment in the space. For more details see the Spotlight Theater (Technical Packet).
The base rental rates for Spotlight Theater (Rental/Pricing) includes use of the room, seating, studio sound system regular overhead lighting and staging as desired. Use of the Clavinova piano is included at no charge subject to availability.
Rental Requirements for Events
House Manager: @$25 per hr. for events, required to be in the house at all times you are in the theater as well as 1/2 hours prior to your arrival for set up.
You may provide at least two people to handle theater setup, box office (if not using our ticketing), and programs as well as any additional crew you may need in addition to the theater House Manager. If needed we can provide additional help at a per person rate of $20 per hour.
(Non-event stage lighting is available at an extra charge of $15 / hr. for actual time used.)
Lighting and sound equipment must be operated by qualified personnel.
You may provide personnel to run lighting and sound subject to prior approval and attendance of an orientation session with the Spotlight Technical Director. They will provide orientation at a mutually arranged time, no later than 15 days prior to your event. Familiarity with ETC EOS and Behringer x32/Midas M32 mixers is strongly advised.
Any changes to the Spotlight House plot, patch, etc must be restored prior to rental completion or you will be subject to a $150 restoration fee.
If so desired, Spotlight Vermont can arrange for technical staff to run lights and/or sound. Hourly rates range between $30 - $45 / hr. with a 2 hour minimum.
Any lighting requirements beyond the Theater's standard plot will result in additional negotiated charges for design and implementation. Please feel free to email the Technical Director no later than 30 days prior to your event to discuss your technical requirements if necessary.
Video capture/streaming - Spotlight Media Productions staff must be used for any streaming or video capture using the technology in the Black Box. Due to the wide variation of possibilities please contact Spotlight’s Technical Director to discuss options and costs.
Lessee is responsible for damage to any and all equipment used during the course of the event. If so desired, Spotlight Vermont can arrange for technical staff to run lights and/or sound. Hourly rates range between $30 - $45 / hr. with a 2-hour minimum. Any lighting requirements beyond the Theater's standard plot will result in additional negotiated charges for design and implementation. Please feel free to email the Technical Director no later than 30 days prior to your event to discuss your technical requirements if needed.
Custodial charge (if food is served) $75
Spotlight Theater is a multi-use facility and we ask that you respect it as such. Spotlight Theater is used for daily technique classes and rehearsal; therefore the premises must be cleaned and equipment restored before you leave.
No smoking is permitted in the theater or studios.
Refreshments may be served upon prior approval by the Studio Manager in approved areas.
No glitter, glycerin or oil base body make-up, or other fluids are permitted on the Spotlight Theater floors.
Following your event, you must restore the Spotlight Theater to its original condition. Lighting additional to the Standard Plot, special markings on the floor, as well as those on circuits, instruments, and gel frames must be removed. Lighting must be restored to the Standard House Plot (see above). Your janitorial fee covers the deep cleaning of the theater after your use; floors, mirrors etc. However, you are responsible for all trash, and making sure the theater, dressing rooms and green room are restored to their original condition.
