Theatre Planning

Theatre planning and technology design require a depth of experience balanced with a clear vision for the future of the performing arts. We believe performance spaces must engage their audiences and support the artists in their practice.

We lead the team in exploring options for theatre shapes and forms, and we carefully evaluate the positive relationships that can be created between audiences and performers.

We apply multiple perspectives borne of our diverse backgrounds in theatrical lighting, technical direction, architectural lighting, production management, and scenic design. We design and specify all technical systems, and we carefully integrate the technical infrastructure to meet the specific requirements of each project.  

Theatre technical systems are evolving rapidly, in the format of the technologies and in the infrastructure required to support them. We excel at imagination and innovation that truly answer the needs of the performing arts.

We create performance spaces that work, for audiences and for artists.

Featured Projects

Kings Theatre

Brooklyn, NY

Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Black Ensemble Theater

Chicago, IL

Ascend Amphitheater

Nashville, TN

Minneapolis Convention Center

Minneapolis, MN

DePaul University, The Theatre School

Chicago, IL

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Our Theatre Planners

Michael DiBlasi

Partner
Minneapolis

Todd Hensley

Partner
Chicago

Jack Hagler

Partner
Dallas

Duane Schuler

Director
Seattle

Robert Shook

Director
Chicago

Michael Burgoyne

Principal
Minneapolis

Joshua Grossman

Principal
Chicago

Heather McAvoy

Principal
San Francisco Bay

Jim Hultquist

Senior Theatre Consultant
Melbourne

Paul Whitaker

Senior Theatre Consultant & Senior Lighting Designer
Minneapolis

Jody Kovalick

Senior Theatre Consultant
Minneapolis

Kimberly Corbett Oates

Senior Theatre Consultant
Dallas

Christopher Sprague

Senior Theatre Consultant
Chicago

Robert McVay

Project Theatre Consultant
Dallas

Harold "Chip" Ulich

Project Theatre Consultant
San Francisco Bay

Kent Conrad

Project Theatre Consultant
San Francisco Bay

Alex Robertson

Theatre Consultant
Dallas

Simon Austin

AV & Technical Systems Consultant
Melbourne

Kevin Greene

Theatre Specialist
Chicago

Keith Friedlander

Theatre Specialist
Chicago

Milan Anich II

Theatre Specialist
Dallas

Jason Burton

Theatre Specialist
Minneapolis

Theatre Planning Awards + Recognition

  • Case Western Reserve University, Tinkham Vaele University Center

    • AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Honor Award, 2015
  • Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
    • IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2015
    • ENR Magazine, National Best of The Best Award, Cultural Category, 2014
    • Los Angeles Business Council Architectural Awards, Civic Award, 2014
    • California Preservation Foundation Design Award, Rehabilitation, 2014

  • Radisson Blu Mall of America

    • IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2014
  • Lookingglass Theatre Company
    • USITT Merit Award, 2005
    • AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award, 2004
    • Chicago Building Congress Merit Award, 2004
    • Friends of Downtown Adaptive Reuse Award, 2004
    • Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, 2003
  • Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park
    • AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award, 2004
    • Chicago Building Congress Merit Award, 2004
    • Friends of Downtown Adaptive Reuse Award, 2004
    • Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, 2003
  • Minneapolis Convention Center
    • IALD Award of Merit, 2003
    • IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2002
  • North Central College
    • AIA Illinois Mies van der Rohe Honor Award, 2012
    • Education Design Showcase Honorable Mention, 2009

  • Schauer Arts & Activities Center

    • USITT Merit Award, 2005
    • AIA Wisconsin Design Merit Award, 2002
    • ALA Presidential Award and Gold Design Award of Excellence, 2001
  • Pantages Theatre
    • USITT Merit Award, 2004
    • AIA Minnesota Honor Award, 2003
    • Minneapolis Heritage, 2003
  • Detroit School of Arts
    • AIA Detroit, Building Honor Award, 2005
    • LEED Certified
  • Ravinia, Martin Theatre
    • USITT Honor Award, 1994

  • Navy Pier, Skyline Stage

    • USITT Merit Award, 1998
  • RiverEdge Park
    • IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2014
    • GE Special Citation, 2013
  • The Kessler
    • Ruth Chenowith OOCCL Conservation Achievement Award, 2010

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