Learning Theater

COVID-19 College Update

Teachers College will remain open, but all classes for the remainder of the semester will be conducted online.
Administrative offices will operate remotely beginning March 12 until further notice. 

Visit the TC Preparedness Website for information on COVID-19, symptoms, and current recommendations.

A logo for the Learning Theater on a black background

Welcome

The Smith Learning Theater, located on the fourth floor of the Gottesman Libraries, provides an experimental environment that can be configured and curated to support ambitious learning, teaching, and research activities at Teachers College.

 

Upcoming Events

Open to the TC Community

The Smith Learning Theater offers an entirely new range of possibilities for supporting ambitious learning, teaching, and research activities of the Teachers College community.

We host conferences, exhibitions, screenings, panels, dinners, and receptions. If you have another idea for an event, please let us know and we may be able to accommodate you.

Carousel

The Learning Theater is used to exhibit works of art, including sculpture and painting
Students and faculty discuss research in the Learning Theater
Participants enjoy the reception after an event in the Learning Theater
A student gives a presentation in the Learning Theater
Students engage with their seminar in the Learning Theater
A young student works with an instructor on a physics experiment in the Learning Theater
Students discuss research during a demo at the Learning Theater
Data Conference in Smith Learning Theater

The Space

The main Theater space is 6000 square feet with 8 columns and a theatrical pipe grid to carry elements of infrastructure (e.g., power, data, lighting control, etc.) and facilitate hanging elements (lights, projectors, screens, curtains, etc.).

Power, data, and AV systems are available at the ceiling and the floor level throughout the space permitting a virtually unlimited number of configurations.

The Theater can be equipped with diverse sets of physical objects to support the learning goals of programs. Space dividers and definers set the stage for smaller scale elements and props that contribute to the build-out of the space. Both conventional stagecraft and showcase components are employed to achieve the desired effects.

 

A reception area for ticketing and registration activities supports Theater events. Sponsors can make tickets available to the College community and beyond.

The space can accommodate over 100 guests with some approved layouts (based on firecode restrictions), although events with 60 guests offer the optimum active learning ratio (OALR) of 100 square feet per learner.

Refreshment stations and food serving areas can be configured to meet program needs. Adjacent restrooms and coat check locations are available.

 

The Theater lighting system includes both a base lighting configuration ("House Lights") and theatrical lighting. Lighting can be designed for each program including specific lighting looks and choreographed light changes. Solar and blackout shades provide a range of natural-light options.

 

Theater infrastructure supports video projections at varying scales as appropriate for content and event configurations. Video can be displayed on screens as well as on most surfaces throughout the space. Wired and wireless microphones also can be located throughout the space to permit audio amplification and capture. Speakers are located throughout the theater space to support background music, custom program configurations, and special audio effects.

 

Theater infrastructure supports a range of data-capture equipment and techniques as dictated by the needs of a particular learning, teaching, and/or research event. Real-time data can be accessed and displayed throughout the theater space. In addition to in-house capacities, the Theater supports the addition of more specialized Internet of Things (IoT) components unique to particular learning goals and events.

 

Theater activities can be captured on video for archiving and research purposes. Cameras can be mounted throughout the space on the ceiling grid and columns, as well as from placements anywhere on the floor. The Theater can be configured as a studio to support the production of programs for both live and delayed broadcast. Audio production and recording is enhanced by multiple audio channels, a concert-quiet HVAC system, and acoustical glass applied to the 120th Street-side windows to mitigate street noise.

 

Reservations

If you would like to make a reservation, please fill out our Reservation Request form. Please note, that we are not scheduling new events for the Learning Theater until campus is open again.

Priority deadlines for Learning Theater applications are due by August 10 for the spring, December 10 for the summer and April 10 for the fall. After these dates, applications will be honored as space permits on a rolling basis.

Once a reservation is accepted, we will work with you to produce your event. Production includes planning and logistics, connecting with the technical team, and rehearsing.

View our fees.

Back to skip to quick links