The 250-seat Watts Theatre is a thrust theater with a stagehouse and a single balcony, protected from the hubbub of this busy building by a structural concrete shell. Actors need no amplification in this intimate space, but a sophisticated audio system allows amplification when desired, along with recording, music playback and effects. The flexible 100-seat Healy Theatre, which can be reconfigured for every production, is located on the fourth floor. Its double -skin glass stage-end wall is a glowing beacon at night. Actors learn their craft in the four movement classrooms and ten acting classrooms, each room a different environment to offer the students a range of theatrical experiences. A sound lab capable of multi-channel audio playback and multi-track audio recording supports sound design classes and recording sessions. The scenery shops are designed for easy communication and comfortable noise levels. Even the lobby is designed as a performance space.
