Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Starlight Theatre

This is a project by Studio Gang Architects and it is located at Rockford, IL, United States. There are nine images for Starlight Theatre.

: © Greg Murphey

Project images

Designer's statement

The design of Starlight Theatre maintains the tradition of open–air performances at Rock Valley College but offers new flexibility by allowing the theatre company to extend its season and guarantee shows even when it rains. A kinetic roof that opens like the petals of a flower in fair weather provides both shelter and drama that the former stage lacked. Under the roof, the central theatre space forms an unexpected vertical axis to the sky enhancing the audience’s experience of being outdoors. Technologies typically employed to move roofs over massive stadiums were adapted to fit the scale and budget of the roof’s sculptural form.

Encompassing over 135,000 sf, the new theatre and lawn seating maintain strong visual connections to the surrounding landscape. Differentiated seating areas in the lawn allow groups to reserve space for private parties before and after the show. The stage itself is designed to accommodate galas and events in the winter off-season.

To meet the theatre’s desire to remain open every summer season, the design divided the construction work into three discernible stages. Each stage allowed the theatre to operate with full functionality. First the seating bowl was built, then the stage house and finally the roof. With the new building and expanded programming possibilities, Starlight has transformed itself into a popular regional destination and favourite summer venue for the community.