Pepperdine University Center for the Arts

Smothers Theatre Technical Information

I. Location of Theatre

Interior of Smothers Theatre

Smothers Theatre is located on the Pepperdine Campus at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road. From Pacific Coast Highway, turn north on Malibu Canyon Road to the first traffic light, Seaver Drive, turn left and enter the campus. From the Ventura Freeway ( U.S. 101) exit at Las Virgenes Road, Malibu Canyon. Go south on Las Virgenes (which turns into Malibu Canyon Road) aprox. 10 miles to Seaver Drive. Turn right on Seaver Drive and enter the campus. Start up the hill, and at the information booth ask for directions to the theatre. The theatre is in the Ahmanson Fine Arts Complex, facing the main parking lot.

II. General Information

The auditorium has one floor, American-style seating, 448 capacity in 15 rows, with the option of adding additional seating for approx. 50 in the orchestra pit when lowered to auditorium level. The auditorium is accessible to the handicapped.

III. Load-In

Load-In is at stage level at the rear of the building. From the main parking lot, continue at the right of the building, then turn left behind the building. If the gate at the rear of the building is locked, go the the Tech Office just inside the door at the loading zone to have it opened. There is no loading dock. The loading door is 12’h. x 9’6” w. and opens into the scene shop behind the stage. There is direct access from the shop to the stage.

IV. Stage Dimensions

A. Proscenium:

  1. 41’ wide x 20’ high.
  2. Adjustable portal upstage of the proscenium on line #2 capable of closing in the opening to a minimum of 16’ high and 36’ wide. Normal opening is 18’ high x 40’ wide.

B. Stage:

  1. Stage edge to plaster line: 4’6”
  2. Stage edge to main curtain line: 6’6”
  3. Stage edge to Speakers’ curtain: 13’0”
  4. Stage edge to cyclorama: 33’0”
  5. Stage edge to back wall: 35’6”
  6. Plaster line to back wall: 31’0”
  7. Curtain line to back wall: 29’0”
  8. Wing space stage left: 17’0”
  9. Wing space stage right: 13’0”
  10. Height from stage floor to auditorium floor: 3’0”

C. Orchestra Pit:

  1. Front to back at center: 11’0”
  2. Width: 36’0”
  3. Trim: The orchestra pit is on a Gala Spiral lift, and can be adjusted from a high trim at stage level to a low trim of 8’6” below stage level.

V. General Stage Information

A. Stage floor:

  1. The stage floor is covered with ¼” tempered masonite.
  2. It exceeds AGMA minimum resiliency requirements.
  3. The floor is painted matte black.
  4. Harlequin black/white (reversible) dance floor is available.*

B. Cross-over: Backstage hallway. Cross-over behind cyc is not possible.

C. Image projection:

  1. LCD projector available in rear booth.
    1. can connect with DVD/VHS player
    2. can connect with laptop computer
  2. Two 16mm motion picture projectors available.

D. Projection screen: 15’ x 20’ front projection screen on Line #10

E. Pianos:

  1. Steinway 10’ Concert Grand piano available.**
  2. Other pianos available (consoles).**

F. Wenger Choral Shell; Wenger Choral Risers available.**

G. Wenger 4’ x 8’ (x 8”, x 16”, x 24”, x 32”) available.** (four @ each height)

H. Music stands and stand lights available.**

I. Ladders & lifts

  1. Genie Lift (25’ platform height) available.
  2. 2 A-frame ladders max. 18’ available.
  3. Assortment of 4’, 6’, 8’, 10’ step ladders available.

NOTE: * denotes availability on a rental basis
** denotes advance notice required

VI. Dressing Rooms

A. Two Chorus dressing rooms located in hallway at stage level off stage right. A partition can be opened to create one large room if desired. Seating for 12 men and 12 women.

  1. Each has lighted mirrors and wardrobe racks.
  2. Each has an adjoining restroom with sinks, toilets and showers.
  3. Portable mirrors and tables are available.

B. One Green Room available at stage level off stage right.

C. Two portable quick-change booths are available.

VII. Communications

A. Clear-Com headset communications available to all necessary stations. One channel.

B. Stage audio monitor to control booth and dressing rooms.

C. Paging: NO backstage paging.

VIII. Drapery

A. House Curtain: Grey Velour, 75% fullness, fly or draw, lined. Line #1

B. Speakers Curtain: Black velour, 50% fullness, fly or draw, unlined. Line #9.

C. Legs & borders

  1. 4 black borders (velour) 8’ h. x 60’ w. ea.
  2. 3 pair black legs (velour) 28’ h. x 13’6” w. ea.

D. Black panels

  1. 2 black panels (velour) 24’ h. x 22’ w. ea.
  2. 2 black panels (velour) 24’ h. x 17’6” w. ea.
  3. 4 black panels (velour) 28’ h. x 20’ w. ea.
  4. 2 black panels (duvetyne) 30’ h. x 16’ w. ea.

E. Cyclorama: 1 white filled scrim cyclorama, flat, 28’ h. x 60’ w. on line #31.

F. Scrims

  1. 1 black scrim – 27’ h. x 60’w.
  2. 1 white scrim – 28’ h. x 60’ w.

NOTE: All legs & borders are hung flat, with no fullness. See hanging plot.

IX. Lighting System

Smothers Theatre House Hang Light Plot (pdf)

A. Dimmers

  1. Type: SCR; ETC Sensor dimmers
  2. Number: 252
  3. Wattage: 2.4k ea.

B. Control Console

  1. Type: ETC Obsession 600
  2. Location: in upper center booth at rear of auditorium
  3. ETC Reflection playback console available.

C. Patching: Soft-patching at console. Dimmer-per-circuit.

D. Backstage Electrical Service.

  1. House-light control transferable to stage left or sound booth.
  2. NO Company Switch. 250a aux. power available @ stage right. Bare wire connect: three-phase, five-wire.
  3. Receptacles are all 3-wire, 20amp. pin connectors.

X. Lighting Positions.

A. Front-of-house

  1. First Beam
    1. Distance from proscenium – 8’6”
    2. Height above stage level – 26’0”
    3. Number of circuits – 25
  2. Second Beam
    1. Distance from proscenium – 19’3”
    2. Height above stage level – 26’0”
    3. Diagonal distance from pipe to plaster line at floor – 32’0”
    4. Number of circuits – 30
  3. Third Beam
    1. Distance from proscenium – 34’9”
    2. Height above stage level – 26’9”
    3. Diagonal distance from pipe to plaster line at floor – 43’6”
    4. Number of circuits: 18
  4. Balcony Rail
    1. Location – above Row “O”
    2. Distance from proscenium – 62’6”
    3. Height above last row of seats – 7’6”
    4. Number of circuits – 3 (borrowed from 3 rd Beam)
  5. Box Booms
    1. Three per side; near, medium and far throw
      Near position holds 4 instruments
      Medium position holds 6 instruments
      Far position holds 4 instruments
    2. Number of circuits – 12 per side
  6. Rear Booth
    1. Location – at rear and above auditorium – left, center & right booths
    2. Distance from booths to edge of stage – 64’0”
    3. Number of circuits – 3 per booth, 9 total

B. Onstage Lighting Positions

  1. First Electric Pipe
    1. Distance upstage of proscenium – 3’9”
    2. Line #3 (plus Line #4 married to #3 for hi-sides)
    3. Number of circuits – 32
  2. Second Electric Pipe
    1. Distance upstage of proscenium – 11’0”
    2. Line #11
    3. Number of circuits – 20
  3. Third Electric Pipe
    1. Distance upstage of proscenium – 16’0”
    2. Line #17
    3. Number of circuits – 18
  4. Fourth Electric Pipe
    1. Distance upstage of proscenium – 21’6”
    2. Line #23
    3. Number of circuits – 32
  5. Four-A Electric Pipe
    1. Distance upstage of proscenium – 22’3”
    2. Line #24 (married to Line #23)
    3. Number of circuits – none (circuit from Line #23)
  6. Four-B Electric Pipe
    1. Distance upstage of proscenium – 23’6”
    2. Line #25 (Married to Line #23)
    3. Number of circuits – none (circuit from line #23)
    4. Function – Cyc lights
  7. Floor Pockets
    1. Location – 3 ea. left & right; 4 up center
    2. Number – 10 total
    3. Number of circuits – 42 total
  8. Drop Box
    1. Location – drop from upstage catwalk on grid
    2. Number – 1
    3. Number of circuits – 4

XI. Lighting Equipment

Quantity Type Wattage
6 Source Four 50º 575
92 Source Four 36º 575
62 Source Four 26º 575
40 Source Four 19º 575
2 Colortran 20º w/iris 575
4 Colortran 12º 575
60 Source Four PAR* 575
24 Altman PAR 64WFL 1000
12 Century 6" Fresnel 1000
6 Colortran Far-Cyc 4-cell 1500/cell
6 8' Strip, 4-circuit 300/lamp; 1200/circuit
2 6' strip, 3-circuit 300/lamp; 1200/circuit
3 S/4 19º Followspot 750
2 S/4 10º Followspot 750
2 3-rung light ladders
6 4-rung light ladders
8 12' light trees & bases
1 16" mirror ball & motor
1 Strobe light
10 S/4 6" barn doors
16 S/4 4½" top hat

NOTES: * = complete lens sets for Source Four PARS
All lekos accept pattern holders

XII. Sound System

A. Location – The mix position is located at house left behind the last row of seats approx. 56’ from edge of stage.

B. Sound Console – Midas Heritage 1000: 36 mono / 4 Stereo input / 10 aux / 10 buss / Left, Right, Mono / 10 VCA

C. Processors

  1. 1 Yamaha SPX990
  2. 1 Yamaha REV500
  3. 1 Behringer xr1400 4 channel expander/gate
  4. 3 Behringer mdx2100 2 channel compressor/limiter
  5. 2 Klark-Teknik DN360 dual 1/3 octave e.q.
  6. 3 Ashley GQX3102 dual 1/3 octave e.q.
  7. 1 Ashley GQX3101 mono 1/3 octave e.q.
  8. 1 XTA 428 Crossover 4-in, 8-out with delay
  9. 1 Funk Logic AP-302 Algorithmic Prosecutor (Black Face)

D. Playback

  1. 1 Numark CDN25 dual CD player
  2. 2 Denon DN-720R Cassette deck (available on request only!)

E. Loudspeakers

  1. 3 Apogee AE-5 (Center Cluster, bi-amped)
  2. 2 EAW KF695e (Left, Right, tri-amped)
  3. 2 Yamaha SWIIV 18” Sub (L,R)
  4. 8 EAW LA212 monitor wedge
  5. 1 Galaxy Hotspot

F. Amplifiers

  1. Mains: QSC, Crest, Ramsa
  2. Subs: Crown XT4000
  3. Monitors: QSC PLX 2400s

G. Microphones

  1. 12 Shure SM-58
  2. 6 Shure SM-57
  3. 1 Shure SM-91
  4. 2 Shure Beta-87
  5. 1 Shure Beta-52
  6. 6 Shure Beta-98
  7. 4 AKG 452EB (3 cardioid, 1 omni)
  8. 2 AKG C3000a
  9. 2 AKG C2000b
  10. 3 Neumann Kmi 84
  11. 3 Audio Technica ATM-35
  12. 3 Audio Technica ATM 835b (shotgun)
  13. 4 Audio Technica ATM 853 (hanging choir)
  14. 3 Crown PCC 160
  15. 2 Beyerdynamic MCE 5.11
  16. 1 Electro Voice RE20
  17. 1 Countryman Type 85FET Active D.I.
  18. 2 Whirlwind Director D.I.
  19. 6 Whirlwind IMP2 D.I.
  20. Call for wireless requests

H. Notes

  1. Due to the heavy schedule in Smothers some equipment may not be available due to repair or other booking. Please discuss ALL sound needs with the House Engineer.
  2. All audio signals pass through a patch bay.
  3. Sound feed requests must be made NO LATER THAN 1hr prior to show time.
  4. NO power will be provided at FOH for video gear.
  5. All tie in feeds are XLR. If you cannot tie in XLR please bring adaptors.
  6. All mains go through the XTA crossover. Subs are mono.

XIII. Fly System

A. Type: Counterweight; single purchase; 33 lines

  1. weights: full = 28 lb.; half = 13 lb.

B. Locking Rail located at Stage Right at stage level

C. Winch available for hanging very heavy loads

D. Pipe extensions

  1. Lines 1 thru 16: 4’0” each end

E. Trim

  1. Low trim of all battens: 3’0” above stage floor
  2. High trim: variable for each pipe due to building architecture. See Hanging Plot.

F. Hanging Plot (normal house-hang):

Line # Dist. from
stage edge 		Batten
high trim 		Pipe
length		 Notes
“0” 5’0” 48’0” 60’
1 6’6” 48’0” 54’ Main House Curtain
2 7’6” 49’0” 54’ Portal (18’x40’ opening)
3 8’0” 33’0” 60’ #1 Electric
4 10’0” 44’0” 54’ #1-A Electric
5 10’6” 44’0” 54’
6 11’0” 50’0” 54’
7 11’9” 50’6” 54’ #1 Legs & Border
8 12’3” 51’0” 54’
9 13’0” 51’0” 54’ Black Speakers Curtain
10 13’9” 51’0” 54’ Film Screen (15’x20’)
11 15’6” 51’6” 54’ #2 Electric
12 16’3” 52’0” 54’
13 17’0” 52’0” 54’
14 17’9” 47’0” 54’ #2 Legs & Border
15 18’6” 47’0” 54’
16 19’3” 47’0” 54’
17 20’0” 48’6” 60’ #3 Electric
18 21’3” 52’6” 54’
19 22’9” 53’6” 54’ #3 Border
20 23’6” 53’6” 54’ #3 Legs
21 24’0” 53’6” 54’
22 25’0” 54’0” 54’
23 25’6” 41’6” 52’ #4 Electric
24 26’6” 41’6” 60’ #4A Electric (married to #23)
25 27’6” 41’6” 60’ #4B Electric (married to #23)
26 28’6” 41’6” 60’ #4 Legs
27 29’6” 52’0” 60’
28 30’3” 52’0” 60’
29 31’9” 52’0” 60’
30 32’3” 52’0” 60’ Full Black Drop
31 33’0” 52’0” 60’ Cyclorama
32 *** 44’0” 28’/ea L & R Side Tab pipes

NOTES: *** = Side tab pipes run upstage to downstage 31’ L & R of Center Line.

XIV. Contact Information

A. Mailing Address:

Center for the Arts
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263

B. Box Office: 310-506-4522

C. CFA Fax #: 310-506-4556

D. Technical Office

  1. David Barber: Technical Production Manager
    1. Office phone: 310-506-4224
    2. Cell phone: 323-717-1953
    3. E-mail: david.barber@pepperdine.edu
  2. Carrie Jones: House Engineer
    1. Office phone: 310-506-4752
    2. Cell phone: 818-205-8601
    3. E-mail: carrie.jones@pepperdine.edu