Lied Center updates 22-year-old sound system

As the Lied Center for Performing Arts enters its 22nd season, renovations are beginning with the installation of a new sound system.

The sound system at the Lied hasn't been updated since it first opened in 1990, according to Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center.

"We like to brag about being state of the art," Stephan said. "And 22 years old isn't state of the art."

The new sound system will cost a total of $475,000, with $130,000 of it coming from grants and $345,000 from private donations.

Raising funds for any performing arts is challenging, especially for building projects, Stephan said.

Many theaters will stick with what they have before updating anything unless they have the funds for it.

"A lot of times if it works, organizations continue to use it," he said.

However, the theater aims to match the caliber of the performances they bring in.

"The Lied Center is unique in that we present some of the greatest performers ever," Stephan said. "It's expected to have a level of quality that matches the performances on stage."

Stephan says the center is honored by the support it receives.

"You basically have to be a little visionary in wanting to have the best possible equipment and resources," he said.

Updates to the sound system include speakers that will distribute sound more evenly throughout the hall by amplifying sound directly to the audience. Before the renovation, sound was only being generated from the stage, Stephan said.

There will now be speakers in the balcony, he said. By moving to a digital system, sound will be distributed equally throughout the hall and will carry better to places that are oftentimes difficult to reach.

The Lied Center began the process of updating its sound system when it first got in contact with Threshold Acoustics, a company from Chicago that has worked on performance halls across the world. Threshold conducted an acoustic study of the theater.

Jonathan Laney, principal consultant at Threshold, said the process begins by identifying how the theater is used, the range of productions presented and any day-to-day complications.

From there, Laney says a hall's acoustics will be analyzed by listening from a variety of places within the theater to form general opinions.

Threshold then performs objective acoustic measurements in order to understand the "behavior of sound in the space," Laney said.

"The Lied Center has wonderful acoustics for symphony and opera," Laney said, "but many of today's productions depend on the use of amplification and don't take into consideration the acoustics of the hall."

The center is also in the process of building a Lied Commons, Stephan said. This is expected to open in the fall and will feature banquets, receptions and small theatrical and music performances.

The new speakers will be ready in April, just in time for performances such as "Moulin Rouge: The Ballet" and Boyz II Men.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln students can see some of the Lied's performances for free through the Arts for All program.

Stephan said the new sound system is just the first step in the Lied Center's renovations before its 25th anniversary.

"It was a proactive step of revitalizing the Lied."

sarahmiller@

dailynebraskan.com