Area 143 is a professional black box performance space and event venue located at 143 Shaker Rd., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Centrally positioned, we are just minutes from Springfield and approximately 30 minutes from key locations to the north and south, such as Northampton, MA, and Hartford, CT. For more information about rentals please email us at [email protected]
CURRENT EVENTS AT AREA 143
At Area 143 we host
- Dance Performances
- Plays
- Musicals
- Concerts
- Art Showings
- Student Shows
- Rehearsal Space
Technical Features
Area 143 is a traditional black box design for the exception of the solid oak hardwood floors, which has become acceptable and preferred by many stage companies and universities. The space offers a sound booth, ticket window, coat check, back stage and office. In addition, a 400 square foot lobby can be made available for reception or pre-show social time.
Size: approximately 2000 square feet; seating for 60 Seating: Portable chairs; 1 level Parking: On site, 60+ spaces Sound: 800wx2 stage speakers with 12 channel analog sound board and bluetooth capability. Speaker placement can be customized. Lighting: portable and can be customized |
What is a Black box?
History
Black box theaters became popular and widespread particularly in the 1960s and 1970s during which low-cost experimental theater was being actively practiced as never before. Since almost any warehouse or open space in any building can be transformed into a black box, including abandoned cafes and stores, the appeal for nonprofit and low-income artists is high. The black box is also considered by many to be a place where more "pure" theater can be explored, with the most human and least technical elements being in focus. The concept of a building designed for flexible staging techniques can be attributed to Swiss designer Adolphe Appia, circa 1921, and instigated a half century of innovations in the relationship between audience and performers. Antonin Artaud also had ideas of a stage of this kind. The first flexible stage in America (not a proper Black Box due to the domestic decor) was located in the home living room of actor/manager Gilmor Brown in Pasadena, CA. This venue, and two subsequent permutations, were known as the Playbox Theater and functioned as an experimental space for Brown's larger venue, the Pasadena Playhouse. Colleges and other theater training programs employ the black box theater because the space is versatile and easy to change. Most older black boxes were built more like television studios, with a low pipe grid overhead. Newer black boxes typically feature catwalks or tension grids, the latter combining the flexibility of the pipe grid with the accessibility of a catwalk. The interiors of most black box theaters are, true to their name, painted black. The absence of color not only gives the audience a sense of anyplace; and thus allows flexibility from play to play or from scene to scene. It also allows individual lighting cues to be much stronger. |
Pricing
5 hour block
Example: 2 hr tech and rehearsal, 2 hr performance, 1 hr reception
Payment should be made in full at the time a booking agreement is complete. You may pay online or make a payment arrangement with the office. Thank you for your business!
Booking Fee 5 hr Block is $575.00
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Booking and Performances at Area 143
We are currently accepting bookings for Area 143. Please complete the form below and we will contact you within 1 business day to discuss availability and specifications. Please email info@dancewithadc if you are interested in
booking Area 143 for your next event. |