FDA has designed a range of services to provide its clients skilled and experienced guidance, advice, and technical services throughout all stages of a project from inception to opening night.

These include:

Feasibility Studies, Needs Analysis, Programming and Project Development

What sort of facility is required in a specific community or for a specific organization? How big will it be? How many seats will it have? There are hundreds of questions that must be addressed at the outset of a project before design and construction can begin. FDA’s staff is highly experienced at working with board members, user groups, and community and political leaders to ask the right questions, build a consensus, and ultimately, define the scope of project.

Services during this phase can include development of a building program and budget, assistance selecting an appropriate site, and management of architect selection and of design competitions.

Performance Space Concept Development

To aid the architect and other members of the design team in planning the building, FDA develops initial concepts for each performance space. Usually these take the form of sketches or CAD drawings that help the owner and designers understand the sizes and volumes required and visualize the theatre spaces. These diagrams are an essential tool for the architect at the outset of the design process.

Backstage Planning and Layout

FDA works closely with the architect to develop backstage layouts that satisfy the functional and economic demands of the intended user groups. Our work takes the form of planning diagrams, sketches of proposed layouts, illustrations of critical spaces, and review of the architect’s proposals. FDA works relentlessly to ensure a backstage layout that will be efficient and economical to operate and will provide an appropriate workplace for the artists that will perform there.

Seating and Sightline Analysis

A central issue for all performance spaces is the ability for the audience to see properly. FDA has developed proprietary software to speed the exploration of alternative concepts and ensure that there is not a bad seat in the house. As an added benefit, our CAD 3D modeling techniques provide useful fund-raising images.

Stage Equipment Design and Specification

FDA, of course, provides extensive technical services as well. FDA’s staff designs stage equipment and systems and oversees their integration into the building. We are responsible for construction drawings and specifications for many areas, including:

• Seating Layouts and Theatre Seats
  
• Stage Lighting and Stage Management Systems
  
• Stage Rigging, Machinery, and Stage Draperies