To keep pace with evolving technology and its demanding schedule, the Tarkington in Carmel, Indiana, recently upgraded its lighting system with ETC and High End Systems solutions. From hosting Broadway-style theatre productions and resident dance companies, to touring performances, rentals, and special events, the venue is one of the most heavily used spaces on the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts campus.
Aiming to maximize flexibility, reliability, and creativity, Allied Solutions Center worked with Indianapolis Stage Sales and Rentals to specify Halcyon Gold moving fixtures along with ColorSource Spot V and Source Four LED Series 3 fixtures. The upgrade also came with a new Eos Apex 10 console.
Prior to the upgrade, the Tarkington’s lighting package was growing cumbersome to operate and maintain. Incoming designers regularly struggled with unconventional patching workflows of the outdated moving lights. Much of the light plot was comprised of incandescent technology, lacking the efficiency of today’s LED solutions.
Looking to move the Tarkington to a modern, LED-driven system, Allied Solutions Center initially planned for a traditional mix of profiles, washes, and specialty fixtures.
Then, Josh Hasty, Technical Director of the Tarkington, realized a shift in their approach could benefit the space more. By taking advantage of one highly capable moving light, they could deliver even more flexibility to the plot.
“That single-fixture method made so much sense,” Hasty said. “Each unit can be whatever it needs to be: a wash, a profile, a high side. Anyone can come in and make the plot their own.”
After seeing the performance of Halcyon in a site visit to another theatre, as well as shootouts against multiple fixture options, the team selected Halcyon Gold for its brightness, color quality, and consistency. Its output proved strong enough to cut through complex looks, while still offering refined color control suitable for dance and theatre.
Now, the space is equipped with 88 total Halcyon Gold fixtures, evenly distributed throughout the rig. Designers from all kinds of productions can quickly adapt without being limited by fixture type or placement.
In addition to the new LED fixtures, the Tarkington and the Payne & Mencias Palladium venues were upgraded to Eos Apex 10 consoles, replacing older Eos Classic desks.
Having consistent ETC equipment across the venues provides the key benefit of peace of mind. In the unlikely event of failure, consoles or fixtures can be moved between buildings to keep performances running.
“That kind of consistency is huge for us,” Jeff Steeg, Allied Solutions Center Chief Operating Officer, noted.
Hasty added, “ETC has always had a great reputation for customer support, which is another reason we went with a lot of ETC and High End Systems gear on the theatre side.”
While upgrades are still underway, the reaction to what’s already been installed has been overwhelmingly positive. Visiting lighting designers immediately recognize the equipment and can get to work without lengthy explanations or workarounds.
“I would say the buzzword since install has been ‘crisp.’ Every time someone comes and sees the new lighting, they comment on how crisp and clean it looks,” Hasty said.
Fast-paced musicals, dance pieces with high visual impact, and concerts with complex looks have all benefited from the new system.
“It’s upped their game. And it’s upped our game,” Hasty commented.
With the new ETC-powered lighting system, the Tarkington is well positioned to support artists, designers, and audiences for years to come.
“We greatly appreciate that the City and the Carmel Redevelopment Commission have embraced how important Allied Solutions Center is to the community—and that to keep providing world-class programming, we have to continue investing in the technology,” Steeg concluded.