Loeb Drama Center Will Feature Small Theatre With Unique Stage

A novel stage plan and somewhat reduced dimensions mark the plans for the Loeb Drama Center, the CRIMSON learned yesterday. A lack of funds and the need for "flexibility" in the Center brought modification of the original specifications proposed last Spring.

Preliminary plans for the new College Theatre, drawn by the firm of Hugh Stubbins and Associates, allow for an auditorium which can be used with a regular stage or as a semi-arena. "This plan achieves our aim of flexibility," Harry T. Levin '33, member of the Faculty Committee on the Theatre commented--and keeps within a cost limit of $1.5 million, reportedly set by the Corporation.

Instead of the 600 to 700 seats originally proposed, the Loeb Center will contain about 515 seats; and the small experimental theatre about 50 seats instead of 75. Similar reductions have been made elsewhere in the specifications suggested by the Faculty Committee and by leaders of College dramatic organizations.

Levin defended these reductions, saying, "We have lost very little by this scaling-down of the plans." He expressed a belief that the smaller auditorium was "closer to the ideal for a college theatre."

The Drama Center will be built of red brick faced with white screening to blend with surrounding architecture. Actual construction of the center will take from 15 to 18 months, Jack Myer, assistant to chief architect Stubbins, said.

The main stage will be 35 feet deep with a proscenium height of 25 feet. The proscenium itself can be widened to 60 feet, while the stage house has a total height of 65 feet. Flexibility remains most important; "We have played down audience comfort and sight lines somewhat to make the auditorium more flexible," Myer commented.

The Drama Center plans also include three other major departures from standardized theatre construction. The auditorium will not be separated from the lobby, and during performances a curtain will be drawn to divide the two areas.

Glass will be used extensively in the structure; the theatre's west wall and back side will be almost entirely glass. In addition, the auditorium area will be surrounded on the second level with offices, dressing areas, a canteen, and other rooms.