USITT Opens "Ideal Theatre" Student Design Competition

Architectural and theatre students are invited to participate in USITT’s Fifth Annual “Ideal Theatre” Student Design Competition, an international design competition that is meant to explore the possibilities of what a performing arts space could be.

Collaborating team members work together, using a design brief created by USITT’s Architecture Commission, to create a final submission. The top three design teams will receive free conference registrations, cash prizes, and be invited to present their projects to the Architecture Commission as part of the 2011 USITT Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, March 9 to 12 .

Application deadline is November 17. Submissions deadline is December 22, 2010.

All submissions will be included in an exhibition at Stage Expo as part of the USITT Annual Conference. United States entries may be considered for the USITT/USA Architecture Exhibit at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. In 2010 teams from Poland, Germany, and the Unites States received Honor Awards for their submissions.

This competition helps the organization further its mission to connect performing arts design and technology communities to ensure a vibrant dialogue among practitioners, educators, and students. Organizers note that, “Theatres are three-dimensional puzzles weaving together building systems, complex theatre equipment, ridged functional requirements, special acoustical needs, and a strong architectural character.” By posing the design question, “What is the ideal theatre for teaching professional theatre?” the competition enriches that dialog.

Additional information, including a design brief, application, and list of past winners can be found here.