The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is the largest non-profit theatre organisation in the US. Founded in 1972 by Broadway producer Donald Seawell, the DCPA is home to six theatres located within the complex and another across the street at the Newman Centre for Theatre Education. Looking to add a new digital console in anticipation of an original production called The 12, the DCPA recently purchased a 32-fader Studer Vista 1 digital audio mixer.
A rock musical, The 12 was held in the 770-seat Stage Theater, where the Vista 1 was put to the test as the front of house console.
‘The 12 required more sound support than is usually required for our productions, and was designed by Zach Williamson,’ says John Pryor, Director of Sound for the Theatre Company division of the DCPA. ‘Zach has worked with Studer in the past and wanted to design the show on a Studer console, so he encouraged us to purchase the Vista 1. But we also listened to the advice of several other colleagues in the industry who recommended Studer and we purchased the Vista on the on strength of a product demo given to us by [Studer US Sales Director] Rob Lewis.’
The 12 was a resounding success and the Vista 1’s performance gave Pryor and his team the confidence to continue working with the console, with an eye on possibly adding more Studer equipment in the future. ‘The opening went very well and we are entirely pleased with the Vista 1,’ Pryor says. ‘We are considering the purchase of two more Vista consoles over the next two years, replacing our legacy analogue consoles in each of our primary theatres.’
More: www.soundcraft.com
