El Portal Theatre

**Architectural**
Project: El Portal Theatre Lighting Designers: Jim Moody Dawn Hollingsworth LC Jeremy Windle LC Location: North Hollywood, CA Architect: R.F. McCann Architects Electrical Engineer: Rymax Electric Dimming & Control: Strand Lighting Partial Equipment List: (1) - Strand Lighting 530 control console (1) - Remote Interface (2) - SN103 Portable Ethernet to DMX converters (288) - CD80 Dimmers (1) - Remote Focus Unit (1) - Premier houselighting control system (6) - Four button wall stations (2) - Eight button wall stations (1) - LCD master station	El Portal Theatre Built in 1922, the El Portal Theatre was ready for its grand re-opening when the 1994 Northridge quake struck, demolishing the extravagant suspended ceiling. Reconstruction was stalled for years until FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) funding was secured. In the interim, tunneling below the theatre for the North Hollywood extension of the Los Angeles MTA (Metro Transit Authority) Red Line allowed the foundation to settle, and the cracks soon appeared in the facade.
El Portal during its heyday as a motion picture palace
Moody/Ravitz Design Partners and R.F. McCann Architects completed the initial redesign of the theatre interior in 1996. As construction started again, funding slowly vanished, and work on the theatre slowed to a crawl for two more years. In 1998 Moody/Ravitz Design, now Visual Terrain, Inc., was contacted to revise the lighting plans. In the two years since initial design, the technology of lighting control and fixtures had evolved substantially. The lighting system was revised to include an Ethernet lighting control distribution system and digital houselighting control. This technological backbone will allow the use of current automated lighting technology, as well as whatever else may be introduced in the near future. Under new construction management, the El Portal is being rebuilt again. The original marquee was completely rebuilt and replaced in March of 1999. As of late August 1999, almost all wall framing is complete, and electrical rough-in is in progress. The theatrical dimming panels and lighting bridges should be in place within the next month, and bids for lighting equipment are out. The theatre is a forest of scaffolding as fire suppression systems and catwalks are installed in the structural steel high above the floor.
Inside El Portal Theatre during its renovation in 1993
El Portal - Circle Theatre
El Portal - Main Stage



A preliminary opening of the theatre complex to the public is scheduled to take place in November for the NoHo (North Hollywood) Arts Festival. When completed, the El Portal Complex for the Arts will be the anchor for surrounding redevelopment, along with the MTA North Hollywood station, only a block away. The El Portal officially opened in January 2000, and final work will be completed by September 2000


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Architectural

Project:
El Portal Theatre

Lighting Designers:
Jim Moody
Dawn Hollingsworth LC
Jeremy Windle LC

Location:
North Hollywood, CA

Architect:
R.F. McCann Architects

Electrical Engineer:
Rymax Electric

Dimming & Control:
Strand Lighting

Partial Equipment List:
(1) - Strand Lighting 530
control console

(1) - Remote Interface

(2) - SN103 Portable
Ethernet to DMX converters

(288) - CD80 Dimmers

(1) - Remote Focus Unit

(1) - Premier houselighting
control system

(6) - Four button wall
stations

(2) - Eight button wall
stations

(1) - LCD master station

El Portal Theatre

Built in 1922, the El Portal Theatre was ready for its grand re-opening when the 1994 Northridge quake struck, demolishing the extravagant suspended ceiling. Reconstruction was stalled for years until

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) funding was secured. In the interim, tunneling below the theatre for the North Hollywood extension of the
Los Angeles MTA (Metro Transit Authority) Red Line allowed the foundation to settle, and the cracks soon appeared in the facade.

El Portal during its heyday as a motion picture palace

Moody/Ravitz Design Partners and R.F. McCann Architects completed the initial redesign of the theatre interior in 1996. As construction started again, funding slowly vanished, and work on the theatre slowed to a crawl for two more years.

In 1998 Moody/Ravitz Design, now
Visual Terrain, Inc., was contacted to revise the lighting plans. In the two years since initial design, the technology of lighting control and fixtures had evolved substantially. The lighting system was revised to include an Ethernet lighting control distribution system and digital houselighting control. This technological backbone will allow the use of current automated lighting technology, as well as whatever else may be introduced in the near future.

Under new construction management, the El Portal is being rebuilt again. The original marquee was completely rebuilt and replaced in March of 1999. As of late August 1999, almost all wall framing is complete, and electrical rough-in is in progress. The theatrical dimming panels and lighting bridges should be in place within the next month, and bids for lighting equipment are out. The theatre is a forest of scaffolding as fire suppression systems and catwalks are installed in the structural steel high above the floor.

Inside El Portal Theatre during its renovation in 1993

El Portal - Circle Theatre

El Portal - Main Stage

A preliminary opening of the theatre complex to the public is scheduled to take place in November for the NoHo (North Hollywood) Arts Festival. When completed, the El Portal Complex for the Arts will be the anchor for surrounding redevelopment, along with the MTA North Hollywood station, only a block away.

The El Portal officially opened in January 2000, and final work will be completed by September 2000