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After 20 years of planning, Music and Dance Theater Chicago, recently named The Joan W. & Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, is now open. Located on the north end of the city’s Millennium Park project, the theater seats up to 1,500 patrons. The venue serves as the performance space for a dozen mid-sized music and dance companies, including the Chicago Opera Theater, Music of the Baroque, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet. Clark Construction Group, LLC of Chicago served as the general contractor on the $40.8 million facility.
Designed by Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge of Chicago, Music and Dance Theater Chicago is located adjacent to and below the new Millennium Park Band Shell, with the top of the structure incorporated into the landscaped terrace and stairways from the park. The foundation structure consists of poured-in-place concrete grade beams, caisson caps and walls. Since the bottom of the orchestra pit is 30 feet below the existing water table, the foundation work included a sophisticated de-watering system. Structural precast concrete girders and a structural steel framing system accommodate the catwalks in the theater and staging areas. Precast panels and structural glazed window walls adorn the facade.
The main entrance is highlighted by a four-story atrium and ornamental stairways that lead down to the balcony, parterre and orchestra levels. A ticket office also is located in this area. The concern for both acoustical fidelity and theatrical visibility play a major part in the drama of the interior space. All seats are placed as close to the stage as possible with excellent sight lines and acoustics for all patrons. Administrative offices, dressing rooms and restrooms are in a wing on the east side of the building.
In addition to Clark and the architect, the project team included Kathryn Quinn Architects of Chicago, associate architects; Thornton-Tomasetti of Chicago, structural engineer; Environmental Systems Design, Inc. of Chicago, mechanical / electrical engineers; Schuler & Shook, Inc. of Chicago, theater consultants; Rise Group, project manager and Jaffe Holden Acoustics of Norwalk, Conn., acoustical consultant.
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