As Theatre Salina gears up for its 64th season, audiences can look forward to a more immersive experience thanks to significant sound and lighting upgrades. The theatre's upcoming production of The Little Mermaid, its 364th main stage production, will be the first to benefit from these enhancements when it opens on September 6, 2024.
Theatre Salina has recently acquired a Yamaha DM7-EX sound board, boasting greater capacity than ever before, thanks to a generous donation from the Jack Wilson Family Trust. This new sound system also includes 16 new microphones, along with antenna splitters and wiring, ensuring high-quality audio for patrons. Additionally, the theatre was able to purchase an extra eight microphones through funds raised during its annual Dancing with Salina Stars fundraiser. With this new equipment, the theatre can now outfit up to 32 actors with microphones, improving sound clarity and enhancing the listening experience for all attendees.
Lighting at the theatre is also getting a significant upgrade. Thanks to contributions from the Earl Bane Foundation, the Dane Hansen Foundation, the Milton I. and Francis L. Stiefel Foundation, the Capitol Federal Foundation, and two anonymous donors, Theatre Salina is replacing 90 of its traditional tungsten lights with LED retrofits using the ETC Source 4WRD system. This upgrade will not only improve lighting quality but also reduce energy consumption by 30% and heat output by 70%, resulting in significant savings on HVAC costs during the hot summer months.
These improvements align with Theatre Salina's ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing the overall patron experience. Audiences can expect these technical upgrades to have an immediate impact when The Little Mermaid takes the stage next month.
