Students benefit from ample opportunity to hone their technical skills through the production of up to four plays per academic year. The WSC Theatre program utilizes 3 different types of stages for its productions, thereby giving students valuable hands-on experience in designing and constructing for different performance venues.

The Lied Performing Arts Center

Opened in December 2002, the Lied Performing Arts Center is a new addition to the existing Val Peterson Fine Arts Hall. The $3 million project renovated the existing Ramsey Theatre and added a 10,800 square-foot addition. The Lied Performing Arts Center accommodates the renovated Ramsey Theatre, and several new spaces including the Scene shop, Green Room, loading dock area, and the Black Box Theatre. The project was funded in part by a $547,000 grant from the Lied Foundation Trust and in recognition of that gift, the west portion of the building encompassing the foyer, Ramsey Theatre and the new addition in the Val Peterson Fine Arts Hall was named The Lied Performing Arts Center.

Scene Shop

The spacious new scene shop with over-sized garage style doors allows for direct load-in of pre-built scenery to the stage.

In contrast to larger universities, undergraduate theatre design students at Wayne State College receive the opportunity to see their creativity come to life on the stage! Many of our productions highlight the costume, lighting, and set designs of our undergraduate students.

The Crucible

Ramsey Theatre | October 2004
Set and Lighting designed by student Adam Nathan

The Diary of Anne Frank

Ley Theatre | November 2003
Costumes designed by student Matt Haschke

Ramsey Theatre

If you have not been on campus for some time, or have never visited our campus, a tour of the newly renovated Ramsey Theatre is a must. Renovation and expansion, completed in December 2002 includes:

A new addition that houses a Scene shop, Green Room, and Black Box Theatre (The Lied Performing Arts Center)
A reconstructed stage floor and apron
New stage rigging
New stage curtains and scrim
New lighting and sound control systems
New auditorium seating
New auditorium carpeting
Improved acoustics

Ramsey Theatre

Ramsey Theatre, housed in the Lied Performing Arts Center, is the main performance venue. With a 52’ X 32’ stage, the space accommodates our larger productions seating up to 675 spectators. Recent renovations now allow students to work with state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and rigging systems. Ramsey Theatre is the “home” of the annual Children’s Show, a mainstay of the program, which draws audiences of 4,000+.

Auditorium Specs

Total Seating: 675

Main Floor: 565

Balcony: 110

Stage Specs

Width of proscenium: 52’

Height of Proscenium: 18’4”

Distance from curtain line to back wall: 22’6”

Offstage wing space stage right: 10’

Offstage wing space stage left: 16’

Flooring: Masonite over ash, flat black

Apron depth: 9’3”

Size of loading dock door: 8’X10’

Size of USL loading door: 9’X16’

Fly System

Stage floor to loft blocks: 33’ (no grid)

Number of battans: 24

Length of battans: 59’

Soft Goods

Front curtain: Dark blue, travels

Black legs: 3

Black Borders: 3

Full Stage Travelers (black): 2

Cyc: 1 (light blue)

Lighting

Number of electrics: 3 Sound

Mixing Console: Yamaha M2500

Number of input channels: 32

Control Booth: Rear of house, Center

Balcony

Acoustical shell with full ceiling

Dressing Rooms

Location: Lower Level, accessible from stage by SL stairway

Men’s: 8 makeup stations

Women’s: 9 makeup stations

Restrooms adjacent with sinks, toilets, and showers

Greenroom

Location: Stage level

Makeup mirrors

Sink and Toilet

Green Room

Our spacious Green Room, located on Ramsey stage level, behind stage left, provides comfort and convenience for performers. Access to stage is immediate and the cozy atmosphere facilitates relaxation and focus. Equipped with makeup mirrors, stage audio, and a unisex bathroom, the Green Room allows performers to make the most of their off-stage time.

Black Box Theatre

Now that the addition of the Theatre Annex is complete, WSC possesses a Black Box Theatre, located on the lower level of the Lied Performing Arts Center. Equipped with rigging for lighting, the Black Box is a versatile space that allows for innovative and unique designs and constructions. Seating approximately 70, the Black Box is a valuable addition to the WSC Theatre program.

Ley Theatre

Furthermore, the WSC Theatre program utilizes Ley Theatre, housed in the Brandenberg Education Building. This early twentieth-century space was renovated in 1982. With its modifiable thrust stage, Ley Theatre lends a classic atmosphere to productions. Seating space can vary depending on the production, but the venue seats no more than 312. With its intimate environment, Ley Theatre provides a warm and inviting space for performance.

Auditorium Specs

Seating varies from a maximum of 312 to 235 depending on the thrust arrangement.

Stage Specs

Width of stage at proscenium: 26’5”

Width of stage at downstage edge: 23’4”

Height of proscenium: 16’11”

Distance from curtain line to back wall: 12’6”

Distance from curtain line to downstage edge: 7’2”

Floor: Blonde ash, polished

Fly System

Stage floor to loft blocks: 30’ (no accessible grid)

Number of battans: 10