The Puppet and Actors’ Theatre „Kubuś” in Kielce

INTRODUCTION

Established in 1955, the iconic and beloved by the youngest audience – the Puppet and Actors’ Theatre „Kubuś” in Kielce, has lived to see a new headquarter, a much larger and tailored for the needs of a modern audience. The building is placed at Zamkowa 9 street in Kielce. As early as this August, another season of artistic performances will be launched on the boards of its theatrical stages, and this time with a completely new quality, using the cutting-edge technology solutions.

Under the careful oversight of the Preservation Officer, the historic buildings of the former blacksmith’s shop and Old Manor House have been adapted for the requirements of the Theater. They were also connected with each other by means of a newly built communication structure, which currently serves as the stage funnel, providing nearly 2,000 sqm of additional functional space. The new interiors accommodate, i.a.: a spacious foyer, dressing rooms, administration and office space, actors’ dressing rooms, as well as warehouses, workshops and theatrical studios. The heart of the new premises are primarily two modern stages – the Large ( seating about 150 people) and the Small ( seating approximately 80 people) – fitted by the PS TEATR company, with lighting technology units, multimedia, electro-acoustics and stage machinery equipment, substantially boosting the previous performance potential.

TECHNOLOGY LIGHTING

The new premises is an outstanding space for exhibiting the potential of 12 pieces of ELATION FUZE PROFILE moving spotlights featuring a 305W RGBMA LED engine and a full blackout system comprising of 4 rotating Full Blackout framing blades. The high CRI level of 92, zoom range between 7° and 42°, CMY emulation, pre-programmed animation effects or the wide range of available gobo patterns, guarantee a seamless realization of the lighting directors’ most ambitious vision. Moreover, 2 pieces of FUZE PROFILE, the CW variant, featuring the 380W white LED source, were also supplied.

The pool of moving wash lights has also been greatly expanded. The lighting bridges feature both 12 large ACME NEOZONE spotlights and 28 pieces of smaller, high-speed ACME OXYGEN washlights. The heart of the ACME NEOZONE head features 19 pcs of high-quality RGBW LEDs, with 40 watts of power each. The device allows individual control of single pixel, using pre-defined shapes, rings and macros, specially designed by the manufacturer. Output luminous power reaches as much as 9000 lumens, which ensures an exceptionally bright beam across the entire electronic zoom range (from 4° to 50°). On top of the standard performance from RGBW color mixing, the device features a variable CTO from 2500K to 8000K with a CRI of more than 90. Whereas its compact counterpart, the OXYGEN, features a 7x40W RGBW LED source, fast zoom from 6° to 40° and built-in beam/wash effects.

The hall’s space could not also lack classic lighting solutions – the iconic ETC SOURCE FOUR ZOOM profile spotlights with 750W incandescent lamp (6 units of 15°-30°zoom range and 12 units of 25°-50°zoom range) with framing system and IRIS shutters. Their counterparts as LED source are 16 units of DTS PROFILO LED 200 FC profile spotlights (200W RGBW LED, silent operation, 19°-41° zoom range). The pool of conventional theater lighting was supplemented by 40 pcs of PC-type DTS SCENA S spotlights (1kW, with 10°-64° zoom range), as well as 4 pcs of LDR TONO 8/22 2kW profile spotlights and 4 pcs of PC-type spotlights – LDR TONO PC 2kW.

Filling the horizon with color is realized via 6 units of proven ELATION PALADIN BRICK 360W floodlights with 10°x60° asymmetrical filter.

Two LED strobe lights with a 40000 lumens output each – ELATION Protron 3K COLOR, together with High End System FQ100 smoke machines, CLF HAZE II fog generators and UV spotlights – ACME STAGEPAR UV, significantly extend the range of possible effect creations at concerts and stage productions.

Considering the target age of the intended audience, the bubble machine is a must. Our choice fell on the product manufactured by a company which is an undisputed industry leader in all types of stage effects – the MAGIC FX. The SMOKEBUBBLE BLASTER model fills the stage with capacity of whopping 6000 bubbles/minute. The generated bubbles can be filled with smoke, which, combined with the use of technology lighting, allows the creation of stunning effects, attracting attention not only of the youngest spectators, but also their parents.

As part of the project, PS TEATR also supplied the object in 2 external image projectors enabling, i.a. the projection of gobos on the building’s façade.

Within the Halls, an extensive power supply system for the technology lighting has been deployed. There is also a flexible control network  based on both DMX and Ethernet standards provided, responsible for  the lighting equipment. The matrix power switchers allow for easy change of operation mode for each circuit individually (both regulated and non-regulated), as well as remote switching I/O from the stage manager’s control room. Voltage regulation of individual circuits is realized via wall-mounted PLS PEGASUS WM controllers, offering a total of 180 circuits with a power of 3kW each.

An additional solution that facilitates the lighting personnel’s work is the option of independent electrification of its two stage barrels, using specialized cable retractors positioned directly over the desired barrels.

Lighting apparatuses for the Main Stage are controlled through the renowned flagship digital console, the MQ500M by ChamSys, which natively supports up to 256 universes. The Small Stage technology lighting is being managed by the same brand’s compact console, the MQ70. An additional support consists of the PROPLEX 8-TRACK mobile DMX controller/recorder, which allows recording and subsequent playback of specific lighting scenes.

The consoles collaborate within the signal distribution area with nine reliable DMX/Ethernet converters – OBSIDIAN RDM10, two mobile 4-port DMX/Ethernet gateways – OBSIDIAN EP4, and five verified DMX10-5 splitters. In the event a wireless DMX signal transmission needs to be used, the technicians are provided with 12 stable, multi-channel sets of CITY THEATRICAL’s 5900 series Multiverse transmitters and receivers.

The issue of control is completed by PS TEATR’s proprietary SPECTRE system, integrating the management of power circuits, the control of multimedia functions, as well as the primary lighting of the Stage with the option of remote blockage of control panels at the entrances during performances. Large touchscreen monitors in the production cabins allow to maintain reliable and convenient control over the entire supply system.

MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS

The core of the multimedia system comprises of an electrically expanded, 7m wide, KAUBER projection screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10, mated with the main 13000 lumen EPSON EB-PU2213B laser projector. There are also 4 mobile 7000 lm projectors available, which thanks to a large range of interchangeable lenses, make it possible i.a. to perform stage projections with the mobile 168” STUMPFL Monoblox screens (front/rear projection) or using a white projection horizon background. Foyer projection is also an option. Each of the stages can boast a high performance media server (4 outputs) with Resolume Arena 7 software and a grabber, as well as an RGB LINK M2 video mixer. The 16×16 ATEN VM1600 video matrix, along with a set of HDMI and SDI standard I/O cards, are responsible for the video distribution system of the Grand Stage. For the Small Stage, this task is being realized via an 8×8 HDMI matrix from RGB LINK FLEX 8. Full flexibility in video signal transmission in SDI<->HDMI or HDMI<->HDbaseT relations is provided via large number of media converters and signal extenders from ATEN, together with a wireless video signal transmission system. The recording of rehearsals, performances and even the use of live video footage is possible thanks to the featuring a direct SDI output PANASONIC HC-X2000 mobile camera. Also, thanks to the presence of an external signal connection in the façade, all video signals can be transmitted directly outside the building.

Preview of the stage action is carried out via PTZ cameras, operated from both the stage manager’s office and 32” monitors located in key performance areas, such as stage entrances, dressing rooms, sound booth, quiet room, etc. The signal from the cameras is also transmitted to the stage manager’s station and can be stored on the hard drive of the recorder.

Within the space of an elegant foyer, a Digital Signage system has been installed which serves the distribution and display of prepared information and marketing content (presentations, videos, illustrations). The material is being transmitted, following a specific schedule, from a video server with LG CMS SUPERSIGN software to 9 dedicated 55” 4K LCD displays with built-in media players. The three displays are mounted on mobile tripods, allowing them to be positioned at any desired spot, as well as easily rotated through 90 degrees to a vertical position.

STAGE MACHINERY

The stage machinery system of the Main Stage, implemented in collaboration with MIKOR INŻYNIERING, includes 2 auditorium lighting bridges, 2 auditorium speaker barrels intended for immersive sound clusters, 9 decoration stage barrels, 5 stage lighting bridges (including two side bridges) and two curtain barrels. The theater’s lower machinery includes a pro-scene trapdoor as well as three stage trapdoors with a working stroke of 330cm. Decoration transport is facilitated by two cargo carriers – a side pocket and a backstage. The entire system is complemented by a portal bridge firmly connected to the technical galleries, two sliding portal towers as well as stage barrels and fixed railings. The Small Stage, on the other hand, in terms of machinery, has been fitted with 5 lighting bridges, which, in addition to the standard up and down movement, thanks to the implementation of a crane mechanism, can also move forward and backwards. Both stages were additionally equipped with a complex curtaining system, as well as a set of platforms, which can be used selectively, or create, for example, a staggered audience with a supplied set of 80 chairs.

There had also 4 compact GUIL ELC 730 telescopic hoists designed to lift loads weighing up to 125 kg to a maximum height of 4.56 meters, been supplied.

ELECTROACOUSTIC SYSTEMS

The Main Stage of the KUBUŚ Theater can boast the presence of an immersive sound system, which makes it possible to surround the spectators with a 3D sound, and allow them to become transported into the very centre of the reality reproduced as part of the performance. The foundation of this system consists of main clusters and a number of KLING&FREITAG effect speakers, as well as a YAMAHA  immersive sound and 3D reverberation. In addition to the immersive sound system, PS TEATR, in cooperation with ABLO GROUP, fitted the facility with a complex package of electroacoustic and stage-manager’s system devices, including audio consoles, feedback monitors, SENNHEISER wireless sets, microphone sets and stage accessories, recorders and players, as well as systems – audio signal distribution systems (based on the DANTE’s protocol), wireless and intercom communications, stage action monitoring, a public address system, a digital clock network and “Silence” banners.

Each of the object’s Stages is also implementing an assistive hearing system, based on a wireless network. It allows a specific audio stream to be sent to the mobile device of audience members, who, via an app installed on their mobile devices via their own headphones/hearing aids, are able to experience the events taking place on the stage in a more convenient manner. A personal listening assistant allows users to fine-tune the audio signal to their individual listening needs. Control via a smartphone touchscreen app makes it easy and intuitive to use. The system can also be used for simultaneous interpretation purposes.

CONCLUSION

Located on a Castle Hill, the new headquarters of the “KUBUŚ” Puppet and Actors’ Theater, thanks to the implemented stage technology solutions, will most certainly become a permanent, recurring place for visits among children and young people. Each time they will step their foot on the premisses of the theatre, they surely return with a big smile on their faces, ready to experience the excitement of being immersed in the theater world again, in the most enjoyable setting.