HISTORY OF
POWERHOUSE THEATRE
The story of the Powerhouse is the story of how an abandoned, ivy-covered building became home to a group of talented, hard working volunteers who, over the course of the last forty-five years, have won numerous awards and continue to put on quality shows to near sell-out audiences.
In 1962, the former Vernon electrical power house, then a warehouse, was slated for demolition. That was when members of the Vernon City Council approached two young architects, Doug Huggins and Drew Allen, to see whether the building would make a suitable fire hall. At the same time, as luck would have it, the Vernon Little Theatre group, whose members had been rehearsing and performing in the Scout Hall, school auditoriums and the Canadian Legion, were looking for a permanent home.
Doug and Drew decided that although the power house would not be suitable for a fire hall, it would be ideal for a theatre. Members of Vernon Little Theatre struck up a building committee, adding a third architect, Terry Gower. They approached the City Council with their proposal on a Friday and spent the weekend drawing plans to present to the council on Monday, the day the building was due to be demolished. City staff approved the plans and work began.
For the next few months, sixty-five volunteers donated three thousand hours of work and fund raising activities to create the community’s theatre: an auditorium with 150 seats, a foyer, club room, costume storage area, lighting dimmer board, sound board, workshop, and, of course, a stage.
On November 23, 1963, the Vernon Powerhouse Theatre was officially opened. Ten years later, BC Hydro sold the Powerhouse Theatre to the City of Vernon, which, in turn, handed it over to the Theatrical Arts Centre for a dollar, provided the Vernon Little Theatre continued to perform plays for the community.
Over past sixty years, many improvements were made to the building, and it now has 236 seats.
“A GEM IN THE MAKING”
A delightful film about the 40+ yr history of the Vernon Little Theatre and it’s rescue of a derelict building slated for demolition in the early 1960’s!
SEATING CHART
Please note row A, seats 1 and 13 are reserved for wheelchair users only.
POWERHOUSE BUILDING
Please contact info@powerhousetheatre.net for more information.
The Powerhouse Theatre houses one performance venue as well as a Green Room with bar facilities.
The main auditorium is a 238 seat proscenium arch theatre.
The Green Room accommodates up to 50 people and is fully mirrored on one long wall.
Both venues are accessed via the front doors and share a common foyer which can also be used for small receptions.
The backstage of the main theatre has a full sized loading dock.
STAGE INFORMATION
Proscenium Arch Opening
Width: 32’
Height: Max. 19’ 0″ Min. 17’
(Adjustable with a the Grand Border)
Stage Dimensions
Plaster Line; to upstage wall 27’ 4″ to downstage apron: 8″ 0″ Height to underside of trusses: 26’ 4″
Floor
The stage is surfaced in black painted masonite
Orchestra Pit
The orchestra pit consists of removable pit covers located over the apron of the stage. It is 22’ X 5’ X 5’ high. The floor may be raised 24″ by placing a sub floor on perimeter pony walls. Access is by a small door in the centre front of the stage.
Dressing Rooms
1 main dressing room with stations for 12 persons served by a shower and 2 washrooms and equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave oven, a coffee maker and small sink with counter space. 1 secondary dressing room with stations for 8 persons served by a single washroom equipped with a small refrigerator, micro wave oven, a coffee maker and a small sink with counter space.
Loading Dock
A loading door 6’ 6″ wide and 10’ high is located at the back west side of the building off the parking lot and provides access via the scene shop to the stage.
Fly System
4 Line sets containing electrics and operated by manual winches 11 Line sets containing curtains 9 Line sets available Total: 24
All systems except the lighting bars are controlled by lifting manually with the aid of pulleys.
Drapes
1 Main Curtain 2 panels each 16’ W x 19’ H, Red Velour 1 Grand Border 35’ W x 8’ H, Black Commando Cloth 1 Traveler 2 panels each 20’W x 25’ H, Black Commando Cloth 1 Cyclorama 40’ W x 25H, White 4 Pairs of legs 8’ W x 20’ H, Black Commando Cloth 4 Borders 40’ W x 4’ H, Black Commando Cloth
Movie Screen
16’ X 16’ front projection screen suspended two feet in front downstage of proscenium.
EQUIPMENT
Lighting
Control booth at rear centre of upper auditorium.
6″ Fresnels
- 5 Altman (500 Watts)
- 14 Strand Fresnelites (750 Watts)
- 3 Strand Patt 123 (Old)
- 4 Colortan Fresnel Panels
- 10 ETC Panels (575 Watts)
Flood Lights
- 6 Strand (old) (2 used as rehearsal lights) 500
- 15 MC Cyc Lights 1000
Ellipsoidals
- 12 Century 6 X 9 750
- 16 Altman 6X12 750
- 16 Source 4 Jr. 575 16 26 Degree Lens12 36 Degree Lens
- 3 Source 4 Jr. Zoom 575 25-50 Degree Lens
- 2 Source 4 Sr. 26 Degree 750
- 20 Strand SL 26 Degree 575
- 9 Lekolites Zoom 500 25 -50 Degree Lens
- 2 Strand SL 50 degree 575
- 2 Altman Ellipsoidals 20 degree (Iris) 1000 Used as Follow Spots
Miscellaneous Items
- 2 Mini Strobe Lights
- 1 Green Lazer Light
- 2 Rosco I Pro Image Projector For Acetate Projections
- 1 Gobo Rotator Accessory
- 1 Martin 100 Disco Light
- 1 12″ Mirror Ball/Motor
- 2 UV 4′ Fixtures 2- 4′ Tubes in Each
- Gobo Holders
Light Trees
- 2 14 ft. free stand portable
Sound
Control booth at rear centre of upper auditorium.
1 Tascam 24 Channel Mixing Board
- 4 Crest VS450 Amps
- 4 Stationary Speakers ( 2 rear house and 2 each side of proscenium)
- 4 Mobile speakers with permanent connection jacks to position
- 2 Stage microphones can be run from stage side or control booth
- 5 Countryman B3 Style Wirelessw Microphones
- 8 Compressor/Limiters for Mixer
- Multi Effects Processor
- 1 Tascam Pro CD Player
- Clearcom Communications
- SFX system installed on computer
- 1 Presonus 24 channel “I” Live Digital Mixing Board
- 1 Mac Mini computer with “Q lab” sound software
- 1 Mac iPad for surface control
- 1 Handheld wireless Microphone
- 8 Sennheiser MK2E Wireless Lav/Headset Microphones (For Rent)
- 3 Non Wireless Microphones (with Stands)
- 2 Yamaha 15” Powered Speakers
- 2 Yamaha 18” Powered Bass Subs
- 2 Yamaha 10” Powered Monitor speakers
- Speaker Stands/ speaker posts for subs
- XLR Microphone cabling
- 4 DI’s
- 100’ 24 channel Snake / with 4 returns
- 25’ 12 channel Snake
- Various cables (inserts etc.)
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Discover the passionate individuals who shape our theatre – from our dedicated board and life members to those we remember with love.
