Seating Towers for The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Theater consultant Charcoal Blue envisioned the concept of seating that could be moved for the needs of the performance space – large end on, thrust, theater in the round, etc., and could be achieved within one building with seating that could be reconfigured.  This was only possible if they could meet the seating capacity requirements to make the show economically viable.  Thus, towers were necessary to provide enough seating for the performances, yet they had to be reconfigurable with the rest of the space.  Mr. Ipema worked with the set design company Show Canada to provide a structural system that met many constraints – height, weight, constructability, and design aesthetic, to name a few.  The result is a structure that is as critical to the show as the actors.

(Top Photo by Vito Palmisano, Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Bottom Image courtesy of Klein and Hoffman.)

Attendees will earn 1.0 hour of Continuing Education Credit. CE certificates will be emailed after the event.

Please register by Friday, March 2 to guarantee your place.  Registrations received after that time will be honored if possible, but cannot be guaranteed.

About the Speaker: 

As Senior Associate I at Klein and Hoffman, William Ipema has served as Project Manager on a variety of projects.  Mr. Ipema has 14 years of experience in design and analysis of building structures, both new structures and adaptive reuse projects.  His experience in all types of building materials, old and new buildings, and knowledge of construction techniques allow him to creatively design for unusual situations.  In 2017, he was part of the team that designed the movable seating towers for Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater, overcoming many design obstacles to bring the towers to life.

Location:

Cliff Dwellers Club

200 S. Michigan Ave, 22nd Floor

Chicago, IL

Menu: 

Caesar Salad

Breast of Chicken Napa Valley

Tiramisu

Registration: 

The registration fee is $45 for members, $65 for non-members. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 5:15 pm. Dinner will be served at 6 pm, and the presentation will start shortly thereafter.  Please note that Cliff Dwellers' bar only accepts credit cards; cash is no longer accepted. 

Cancellation Policy:

If you make a reservation and cannot attend, please cancel by Friday, March 2.  If you do not cancel by that time, please send a colleague in your place, as you will be charged.