Magic Circle uses $20,000 from tribe to finish installing audio
system
By Jason Probst, The Press-Tribune
Magic Circle Theatre offers the kind of community entertainment in
its two venues that thrives on local talent, often making the best of a
shoestring budget and facilities.
Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the United Auburn Indian Community,
which operates Thunder Valley Casino, the Roseville Theatre received
the final monies Tuesday needed to purchase a much-needed sound system
upgrade.
Officials plan to install the system in about three weeks, in time
for the Jan. 5 opening night debut of "Hello, Dolly."
Located at 241 Vernon St., the Roseville Theatre's sound system
currently is not like the built-in version installed at the Tower
Theatre two blocks down the street. Because of this, the acoustics can
be challenging at times, said Rick Daniels, the theater's technical
director.
"The system that is here now was designed as a portable system that
was purchased eight years ago for a very small space," Daniels said.
"It's for a very small room. You get garbles and echoes. And there are
dead spots throughout the room."
The new system will be built into the theater itself. A computer
design was utilized to match the acoustic footprint of the interior
with optimal placement of audio equipment.
"The computer shows how the speakers will perform in the space. So
there's no guesswork," Daniels said.
That can be especially important with kids' shows, where actors may
not orate as loudly as older thespians and amplification can be
critical.
Before, Daniels was busy just keeping the portable system
operational, even during performances.
"I was tweaking the sound every two minutes," he said.
The UAIC has operated Thunder Valley since 2003. Its community
giving program, established in March 2004, has awarded more than $2.4
million to local nonprofit organizations, said Doug Elmets,
spokesperson for the tribe.
"The UAIC community giving program thought that Magic Circle Theatre
was an excellent example of a community based performing arts center
that provides education and training for students of all ages," Elmets
said.
For more information on Magic Circle Theatre, go to
www.mcircle.org.
- Jason Probst can be reached at jasonp@goldcountrymedia.com.
