The light-filled Olentine Forum connects the main venues, and is a hub for student interaction, receptions, and informal performances. The Performance Hall has a beautiful and versatile acoustic character, with motorized curtains behind wood grillage allowing the hall to be tuned for a wide range of uses, from symphony orchestra and chorus, to concert band, jazz and recitals. Carefully designed audio systems and an integrated projection system support multimedia presentations and lectures. Folding stage side walls and a shallow orchestra pit accommodate musicals, operas, and dance.
Each of the three largest Studios was designed with a distinct acoustic character. Despite a full glass wall, Studio 1 has a clean, moderately live sound, modulated by acoustic banners, good for rehearsals, recitals and receptions. Studio 2 is dry, well-suited to drama and loud musical uses. Studio 3 is clear and somewhat dry, ideal for dance. The Gordon Center also offers a film screening room, recording suite, video production room, Lyons Art Lab, scene shop, teaching studios, practice rooms and classrooms. Kirkegaard worked closely with the users and design team from concept design through final tuning to provide Colby a state-of-the-art performance teaching facility with excellent acoustics and comprehensive audiovisual systems.
