$15 Million Infrastructure Project Renovates CCM Performance Venues

A $15 million renovation project will upgrade the overall technology of UC College-Conservatory of Music performance venues to advance the working and learning experiences of students. Launched in spring 2016, the renovations have temporarily closed many of CCM’s theaters, but venues are scheduled to reopen for performances during the fall 2017 semester.

The renovation project will upgrade theater controls, stage rigging and lighting, as well as install new audio and video systems in CCM’s

Corbett Auditorium

,

Patricia Corbett Theater

,

Cohen Family Studio Theater

,

Robert J. Werner Recital Hall

and

Watson Hall

.

"This project ensures that CCM students are working with updated, professional-level theater technology," Senior Director of Performance Operations

Ray Dobson

says. "A majority of patrons may not be able to discern a large part of the behind-the-scene renovations, but the upgrades directly impact and improve the day-to-day working and learning experiences of our students. Our audiences should be pleased with the updated seating and new energy-efficient L.E.D. house lights."

Renovations will improve connectivity between all of CCM’s performance venues. Upgrades include the installation of new video monitoring systems, intercom systems and an inter-venue technical production communication system. The project also includes the installation of fiber optic cables that will make live streaming future CCM events possible.

New lighting and a new stage will be installed in Corbett Auditorium as part of the renovations, along with new carpet, seating and a new stage curtain. The seating in Patricia Corbett Theater will be refurbished, and a new carpet will be installed in the theater’s lobby. Patricia Corbett Theater will also have updated heating, ventilation and air conditioning. A timelapse video of the seat installation is available to watch on YouTube:

youtube.com/watch?v=CFR3OT1lG9M

New seating will also be installed in the Cohen Family Studio Theater and Watson Hall. Additionally, Watson Hall will receive a new carpet and an acoustic sound panel. The Robert J. Werner Recital Hall and Watson Hall have been reopened for CCM performances. Renovations to the Cohen Family Studio Theater are ongoing, but it has reopened for public events.

Patricia Corbett Theater has reopened for CCM performances. The venue’s first concert of the 2017-18 season featured the CCM Philharmonia on Sept. 8. On Sept. 12, the

CCM Jazz Orchestra will play a tribute concert to the Rolling Stones

in the refurbished venue.

Corbett Auditorium will reopen for CCM performances by December. Audiences will be able to experience the renovated venue at the annual

Feast of Carols

performances on Dec. 2 and 3.

CCM’s state-of-the-art facilities provide students with professional-level working and learning environments to prepare them for future careers. As the college enters its 150th year, this renovation leads CCM into a new era as a top training center for the performing and media arts.

Related Stories

1

Poiesis Quartet to compete at Banff International String Quartet...

May 20, 2025

CCM graduate student ensemble the Poiesis Quartet is the only quartet in the USA to compete in the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). At CCM, the Poiesis Quartet studies chamber music with the Ariel Quartet. Members are AD student Sarah Ying Ma, violin; AD student Max Ball, violin; AD student Jasper de Boor; and AD student Drew Dansby, cello.

3

WATCH: Student-produced documentary explores CCM’s role in BLINK...

May 14, 2025

In a new short film created by CCM's Production Master Class, viewers can watch as a team of students put their education into action during one of Cincinnati's most popular events. Titled "Blink: A Spotlight on CCM," this mini documentary explores how CCM Lighting Design and Technology students contributed to BLINK, the nation's largest immersive art and light event. Held Oct. 17-20, 2024, BLINK transformed 30+ city blocks from Over-the-Rhine through Northern Kentucky and drew an estimated crowd of over 2 million people to the Greater Cincinnati region.

Debug Query for this