KANSAS CITY, MO — The new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which opened Sept. 16, has taken delivery of six Robert Juliat Victor 1800W MSR followspots provided by Clair Brothers Systems. The complex, which includes the 1,800-seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre and 1,600-seat Helzberg Hall, is home to the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall are housed in an architectural “shell” and sheathed in glass and stainless steel, part of the center’s architectural design by Moshe Safdie. Muriel Kauffman Theatre will host dance and theatrical performances; Helzberg Hall will be used mostly for music, from chamber groups and jazz and pop performers to full orchestras.
The complex’s grand opening featured performances by Placido Domingo, Itzhak Perlman and Diana Krall on Sept. 16-17.
The Robert Juliat Victor followspots will be used to “support our resident symphony, ballet and opera companies as well as touring Broadway shows and other events,” noted Patrick Donnelly, director of theater operations. Typically, three Victors each will be available to the Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall.
Project manager Michael Ferguson said he specified the Robert Juliat fixtures “for their superior optics,” adding, “there’s absolutely nothing better on the market.” He also liked their ease of use. “They are instinctive and smooth, which is key for ballet and opera.”
Ferguson demoed all the fixtures he specified so the Kauffman Center’s operators would have a hands-on opportunity to see how they performed. “The Robert Juliats won over the users,” he noted. “I had actually specified a less powerful Robert Juliat followspot, then I discovered Victor. I wanted to make sure we had enough punch and that the fixtures were future-proof, so we upgraded to Victor. They were exactly the right choice.”
Originally, four Victors were slated to be shared by the two venues for core use. But before the Kauffman Center opened, the subject came up of what to do if additional followspots were required.
“Nothing else would stand up to the Victors, and no Victors were easily available on the rental market,” said Ferguson, who also credited the manufacturer for its customer support. “So we purchased two more Victors. Now we can simultaneously use up to four for ballet or opera and two in the concert hall.”
Prior to the Kauffman Center’s grand opening, the Kansas City Ballet had been in rehearsals of the world premiere of the commissioned ballet, Tom Sawyer. “They had already put the Victors to use, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.”
For more information, please visit www.robertjuliatamerica.com
