Coca-Cola Stage at the Alliance Theatre

The Alliance Theatre, founded in 1968, is a Tony award-winning regional theatre located within the celebrated Woodruff Arts Center campus. The initial phase of work focused on the chamber, its lobby and artistic support facilities which were gutted to the original concrete enclosing walls. The transformation pulled the 650 seat chamber 10’ closer to stage. The planning of the chamber optimized site lines, utilized ramping in lieu of lifts and integrated stairs to provide access to all levels. Each surface was tuned acoustically to deliver world class theatre to its patrons.

The design team felt a responsibility to remove the separation between balcony and orchestra – challenging historic notions of segregation and discrimination. All seating zones can be accessed from every entrance within the chamber – a unifying planning feature of the Alliance Theatre Transformation.

Trahan Architects assembled a world class team to implement handcrafted steam bending techniques and artistry on an architectural scale. From concept to construction the project demonstrates innovation through collaboration between artist Matthias Pliessnig, Trahan Architects, & millwork fabricators, CW Keller Associates. The result is a series of beautiful steam bent millwork guardrails and balconies that merge hand craft with mass production. The synthesis of acoustic performance, hand driven artistry, and sophisticated laser positioning are all carefully choregraphed to execute the complex steam bent millwork without the need for wasteful CNC molds. Delivered for $330/sf, the product has proven to be both economical and stunning.

Trahan Architects: Trey Trahan (FAIA), Leigh Breslau (AIA), Brad McWhirter (AIA), Robbie Eleazer (AIA), James Babin (AIA), Scott Melançon (AIA), Conway Pedron (AIA), Ayesha Husain (AIA), Sarah Hussaini, Wenyun Qian and Andrew Fu

Consultant Team:
Artist Collaboration: Matthias Pliessnig
Millwork Fabrication: CW Keller Associates
Theater Consultants: Theatre Projects Consultants
Acoustics: Talaske Group
Structural Engineer: Uzun + Case
MEP: DLB Associates Consulting Engineers
Lighting Designer: Fisher Marantz Stone
Graphic Design: Thirst
Life Safety: Jensen Hughes
Project and Cost Management: Cost+ Plus
Vertical Transportation: Lerch Bates