Premium performance spaces

The popularity of performing arts degree courses has led to the investment in and improvement of teaching and learning facilities to support students learning at the highest level in music, dance, drama and musical theatre at universities all over the world

Keri Beckingham

With an 11% growth in the number of students studying the creative arts (Source: Higher Education Student Statistics), 63 universities now offer 105 degree courses including the performing arts – degrees designed to help students become ‘triple threat’ performers – skilful in acting, singing and dancing.

Performing arts degrees are generally either practice-based (involving a great deal of actual performance) or academic, which combines practical work with analysis of the background of the subject. Teaching is, therefore, likely to be delivered through a mix of practical workshops, lectures and professional practice.

Performance spaces

Ferco has worked with prestigious institutions to design, manufacture and install seating in theatres, auditoriums, film schools and performing spaces.

An audience plays a powerful role in the development of a performance – reacting to the performers who, in turn, react to the audience in a constant cyclical interchange. Universities must provide spaces for students to hone the skills of performance.

In an increasingly challenging economic
landscape, performance spaces are a popular way for institutions to generate additional revenue by letting them out for a capital return. The Primera Beaufort is Ferco’s most popular seat for theatres and multi-use auditorium. With its clean lines and simple design, the Beaufort is the ideal choice for a stylish, contemporary aesthetic.

The Beaufort has been installed in projects as diverse as the University of Cambridge’s playhouse, the ADC Theatre, Theatr y Werin at Aberystwyth University and the Alexander Theatre at Monash University in Australia.

Projects took advantage of the Beaufort’s customisable features, choosing wooden seat backs with reveal, matching wooden aisle ends, wooden, PU or upholstered armrests teamed with eye-catching fabrics.

For fully multi-use rooms, the Beaufort can be paired with an integrated A4 writing surface (which stows away neatly when not in use), seamlessly adapting theatre to lecture or conference space.

Ferco’s seating solutions are intelligently designed and flexible – and engineered to withstand the rigours of busy spaces.

To discuss your next education seating project, please contact: info@fercoseating.co.uk or visit: fercoseating.com