Theater as we know it goes back thousands of years to the ancient Greeks. Before electric lighting was available, performances of plays took place during the day in open theaters to take advantage of the sunlight. Since there was no means of artificial amplification, the ancient Greeks built amphitheaters in valleys with seating up the hillsides to take advantage of the natural acoustics.

Needless to say, the modern theater makes use of electric lighting and sound amplification. However, the use of electronics in the theater extends far beyond these practical concerns to create breathtaking special effects that would not have been possible even a decade ago.

Automation

Automation involves the use of hydraulics to move set pieces around the stage, and sometimes the stage itself. Many of these effects are controlled by a pre-programmed computer system whereas they would once have been manually operated by stagehands.

Innovations in automation can produce effects that seem magical to audiences. A recent example is “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” winner of multiple Tony Awards including Best Play and Best Scenic Design, which creates an unbelievable world of fantasy and sorcery before the audience’s very eyes.

Sound Design and Music

Through the use of digital recording and production, it is now possible to effectively capture the audio and present it to the audience in a multitude of configurations. Digital mixing and effects can also produce a unique sound to augment what live musicians in the pit orchestra can produce. Such techniques have been used to great effect in recent productions such as the award-winning Broadway hit “Hamilton.”

A convention center has a variety of rooms and venues to host an eclectic mix of different events, perhaps even at the same time. The modern convention center has adopted digital signage and displays to enhance attendee experience in a variety of ways.

Directions and Scheduling

A convention can be a large and confusing event. Directing attendees to the right area at the right time is essential to its success. Digital displays can provide an up-to-the-minute schedule of what is happening when, as well as directions on how to get there.

Live-Streaming Content

Convention centers have been projecting presentations and addresses on a large screen in a convention hall for some time, but current internet technology allows organizers to live-stream these events to other areas of the center in real time.

Advertising

Digital displays provide advertising space. Convention centers can sell advertising time and space to vendors looking to reach a particular audience and thereby generate revenue.

Digital displays offer organizers and venue managers alike a number of advantages:

• Sustainability
• Customizability
• Cost effectiveness

Don’t let outdated electronics hold you back. TechWaste disposes of the equipment according to EPA standards. We work with most major city’s convention centers as well as live theater venues large and small to assist them with their ewaste and digital recycling needs. From the vast array of lighting that needs to be constantly replaced to digital displays, monitors and screens, these facilities require constant maintenance of their ewaste footprint. For more information and to learn how we can help, contact us today.