Facilities

Main Stage Theatre

The Main Stage Theatre is home to Longwood University Theatre productions. It is a fully flexible 110-seat Black Box Theatre.

Flexible Performance Space

The design of the theatre allows for adaptable stage and audience configurations to meet the unique needs of each production.

Theatre Levels

The Main Stage features three distinct levels:

• Stage Floor: Connected directly to the Scene Shop
• Mezzanine Level
• Catwalk Level: Fully stocked with lighting equipment

Sound and Media Technology

Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, including:

Audio Equipment

• Allen & Heath QU-32 sound console (brand new)
• Apple Mac Pro computer with QLab 5
• Variety of speakers
• Amps
• Wireless microphones
• Additional sound equipment

Projection and Media Design

• Hippotizer Boreal media server with 4-DVI outputs

Lighting and Control

Catwalk

The catwalk is fully equipped with lighting tools used in both design and production work.

Dimmer Room

• Over 130 ETC Sensor+ 2.4kw dimmers

Student Experience

Longwood students receive hands-on training in:

• Lighting design and implementation
• Sound operation
• Projections and media integration

Main Stage Catwalk

The Main Stage Catwalk is where the magic of theatrical lighting comes to life. It serves as a vital space for lighting control, design, and projection.

Key Areas of the Catwalk

• Lighting and Gel Storage
• Dedicated Electrics Area
• Lighting Control Area

Lighting Design and Control

Students learn the art and craft of theatrical lighting design using industry-standard equipment, including:

• ETC Ion Xe
• GrandMA2 Ultra-light

Lighting Instruments

A wide range of professional lighting tools are available for student use, including:

• Martin Mac Aura LED moving lights
• Martin Mac 101 LED moving lights
• Martin SmartMac moving lights
• ChromaQ Colorforce 72” LED strip light
• Over 60 ETC Source 4 Ellipsoidals
• ETC Source 4 PARs
• Selecon Pacific 8” Rama Fresnels
• Selecon Pacific 6” Acclaim Fresnels
• HUI cyc lights
• iCue Moving Mirrors
• LED tape

Projection and Media Equipment

• NEC and short-throw projectors
• ImageCue
• Hippotizer Boreal media server (also used in projection design)

Fitzhugh Samuel Lab Theatre

The Fitzhugh Samuel Lab Theatre is a fully functioning classroom and lab theatre space designed to support student productions and performance-based learning.

Instructional Features

• Teaching station
• Projector and screen

Audio Equipment

• iMac with QLab 4
• Mackie mixer
• Amplifier and speakers

Lighting Equipment

• ETC Element lighting console
• 96 ETC Sensor+ dimmers

Rep light plot includes:

• Selecon Pacific Zoom Ellipsoidals
• Selecon Pacific Acclaim 6” Fresnels

Student Use

This space supports:

• Student productions
• Theatre classes

Scene Shop

The Scene Shop is where much of the behind-the-scenes magic of theatrical production comes to life. Spanning 2,000 sq ft, it supports scenic construction, prop building, painting, and 3D fabrication for both productions and coursework.

Key Areas and Features

Fully Stocked Paint Shop

• Includes all Rosco Off-Broadway and SuperSat scenic paints
• Dedicated Props Shop
• 3D Printing Capabilities
  • 2 Ender-3 3D Printers
  • 2 Longer Orange 30 SLA 3D Resin Printers

Tool Highlights

The shop is equipped with a range of professional-grade tools, including:

• Millermatic DVI 2 Welder
• Baileigh CS 275 EU 11" Cold Saw
• Powermatic 10" 5 HP Table Saw with 52" fence
• Powermatic 24" 5 HP Bandsaw
• Powermatic BD 31A 1.5 HP Sanding Station
• 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw
• DWV010 8-Gallon HEPA Dust Extractors

Props and Furniture Storage

In addition to the Scene Shop, Longwood University Theatre maintains 2,200 sq ft of props and furniture storage located in the university’s warehouse.

Costume Facilities

Longwood University Theatre's Costume Facilities are fully equipped to support costume construction, design, and maintenance for productions and coursework.

Costume Shop & Craft Room

• Separate, dedicated spaces
• Equipped with top-of-the-line Bernina sewing machines and sergers

Dye Room

Features a full-sized industrial dye vat for fabric dyeing and textile treatments

Makeup Room

Used for both classes and productions, the Makeup Room supports:

• Construction and maintenance of prosthetics
• Wig styling and care
• Hand-tied/ventilated facial hair
• Use of a professional-grade wig dryer cabinet

Costume Storage

There are three specialized costume storage rooms for:

• Hats and bags
• Shoes
• General costume stock

The collection features a fully-automated, barcoded inventory system with more than 5,000 costume items.

Design/Drafting Studio – CSTAC202

The Design/Drafting Studio is a dedicated working space for Theatre Design & Technology students, designed to support both traditional and digital design work.

Drafting Workstations

• Multiple drafting tables, each equipped with a 42" Alvin Para-Liner Parallel Straightedge

Digital Design Tools

8 Apple Mac Pros loaded with professional software

• Vectorworks
• DaVinci Resolve
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Additional design programs

3D Printing Capabilities

• iMac connected to a MakerBot Replicator (Fifth Generation) 3D printer for model building and prototyping

Theatre Library/Conference Room

The Theatre Library/Conference Room is a multifunctional space that supports both academic and production needs within the Theatre program.

Theatre Resources

• Houses a variety of theatre texts and plays
• Available for student research and project work

Multi-Use Space

• Used as a seminar classroom
• Hosts production meetings and other collaborative sessions

Scenic View

• Features an amazing view of Brock Commons, creating a bright and inspiring environment for learning and discussion

Computer Lab (CSTAC 202)

Located on the second floor of CSTAC, the Computer Lab provides students access to industry-standard tools and software.

Features

• iMac computers

Professional software including:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere)
• Vectorworks
• DaVinci Resolve 16
• SketchUp
• Audacity
• And more

Rehearsal Studio (CSTAC 129)

The Rehearsal Studio is a dedicated space for physical performance work.

Key Features

• Designed for acting and movement classes
• Equipped with a sprung Marley dance floor

Jarman Auditorium

Jarman Auditorium is Longwood University’s large proscenium theatre located on the north end of campus. It hosts large-scale productions, concerts, and special performances.

Theatre and Performance Use

• Used for Longwood Theatre’s large-scale plays and musicals every other year
• 1100-seat proscenium theatre

Performance venue for:

• Choir Concerts
• Longwood Company of Dancers shows
• Children’s Theatre
• University events

Technical Equipment

• Motorized fly system
• Yamaha sound mixer
• ETC Ion lighting console
• PixelFLEX LED Video Wall
• Large inventory of lighting, sound, and video equipment

Stage and Space Features

• Stage dimensions: approximately 40' x 30'
• Floating Harlequin dance floor
• Wenger Forte acoustical shell
• Variety of staging platforms

Dressing Rooms and Backstage

• 2 chorus-style dressing rooms
• 2 diva-style dressing rooms with adjoining restrooms and showers
• Green room located at stage level

Student Experience

Longwood Theatre students work in both the flexible Main Stage Black Box and the Jarman Auditorium proscenium space during their course of study.