Theatre Consultants | Theatre Design Consultancy | Drama by Design

Designing Theatres That Inspire and Perform

Independent Theatre Consultants for New-Build and Refurbishment Projects.

Drama by Design are specialist theatre consultants providing independent theatre design and technical consultancy for new-build, refurbishment and upgrade projects across the UK and internationally.

We work with architects, clients, schools, colleges, universities, theatre operators and multidisciplinary design teams to create theatres, auditoria, performing arts centres, drama studios and flexible performance spaces that are technically excellent, practical to operate and inspiring to use.

From the earliest feasibility and concept stages through detailed design, construction, commissioning and handover, our theatre consultants help ensure that the architectural, technical and operational requirements of a performance space are considered as one coordinated design.

Specialist Theatre Design Consultancy

Successful theatre design requires much more than selecting performance equipment.

The auditorium, stage, backstage areas, technical infrastructure, acoustics, audience experience and day-to-day operation of the venue all need to work together.

Drama by Design provides specialist theatre consultancy covering the planning, design and integration of these elements, helping clients and architects make informed decisions from the earliest stages of a project.

Early involvement of an experienced theatre consultant can identify spatial and technical requirements before they become expensive or difficult to change later in the design or construction process.

Our Theatre Consultancy Services

Our theatre consultants can advise on all aspects of theatre and auditorium design, including:

Theatre and auditorium planning
Feasibility studies and technical briefs
Seating layouts and audience sightline analysis
Stage and performance area planning
Stage engineering and rigging systems
Lighting positions, grids and technical infrastructure
Performance lighting systems
Sound reinforcement systems
Audio visual systems
Production communications and show relay
Curtains, tracks and masking systems
Control rooms and technical positions
Backstage and production facilities
Drama, dance and rehearsal studios
Room acoustics and sound isolation
Equipment specifications and tender documentation
Budget planning and value engineering
Contractor coordination
Installation inspections
Testing, commissioning and handover

Rather than treating these systems in isolation, we consider how they interact with the architecture, structure, mechanical and electrical services, acoustics and the people who will ultimately operate the building.

Theatre Consultants Working with Architects

We regularly work as specialist theatre consultants within architect-led multidisciplinary design teams.

Our role is to translate the operational and technical requirements of a performance venue into information that can be incorporated into the architectural and engineering design.

This can include auditorium geometry, sightlines, stage dimensions, technical access, structural loading requirements, lighting positions, rigging, seating systems, acoustic requirements, equipment rooms, cable routes, technical power and specialist infrastructure.

By addressing these requirements early, we help architects develop spaces that work architecturally while also functioning successfully as performance venues.

Theatre Consultancy for Education

Drama by Design has extensive experience designing theatres, auditoria, drama studios and performing arts facilities for schools, colleges and universities.

Education projects often need to achieve considerably more than a conventional theatre.

A single space may need to support drama teaching, rehearsals, public performances, lectures, presentations, film screenings, assemblies and conferences, while remaining straightforward and safe for students and non-technical users.

Our theatre consultants design flexible technical infrastructure and performance systems around these requirements, balancing professional performance capability with ease of use, robustness and budget.

Our work at Manchester College, for example, included theatre and studio consultancy from feasibility through to completion for a major new creative and digital industries campus incorporating a main theatre, black box studio theatre, film studios, TV studio, recording facilities and drama spaces.

New-Build Theatres

Appointing the theatre consultant early in a new-build project allows specialist requirements to influence the building before key architectural and structural decisions are fixed.

We can support projects from initial feasibility and briefing through concept and detailed design, procurement, construction and final commissioning.

This helps ensure adequate space, infrastructure, access and structural provision is incorporated from the beginning rather than added retrospectively.

Theatre Refurbishment & Technical Upgrades

Existing theatres present a different set of challenges.

A refurbishment may involve ageing equipment, limited infrastructure, changing operational requirements, accessibility improvements or the need to introduce modern LED lighting, digital audio, AV and control technologies into an existing building.

We assess the existing venue, identify practical priorities and develop solutions that maximise the benefit of available budgets while taking account of the constraints of the building.

Independent Theatre Consultancy

At Drama by Design, our theatre consultants go beyond design support for auditoria, theatre and dance/drama studio spaces — we provide independent, expert advice at every stage of a project, from assisting architects with the design and layout of the building, to advice on acoustics, design of all the specialist systems, seating and sight lines analysis and project management from feasibility to completion.. We help clients define technical requirements, evaluate feasibility, and plan theatre and performance spaces that balance creative ambition with operational practicality.

Drama by Design provides independent consultancy and specification rather than designing around a particular manufacturer’s products.

Our recommendations are driven by the requirements of the project, the people who will use the venue, available budget, maintainability and long-term value.

This independent approach enables equipment and systems to be competitively tendered and helps clients make informed decisions based on performance and suitability.

Theatre Consultancy from Feasibility to Completion

Our involvement can continue throughout the complete project lifecycle:

Feasibility & Briefing
Understanding how the venue will be used, establishing requirements, identifying constraints and developing initial budgets and technical strategies.

Concept Design
Working with the architect and client to develop auditorium, stage, seating, sightline, backstage and technical concepts.

Detailed Design & Specification
Developing coordinated technical designs, equipment schedules, specifications and tender information.

Construction
Reviewing specialist contractor proposals, answering technical queries and inspecting installation work.

Testing & Commissioning
Testing systems, identifying defects and ensuring the completed installation performs as intended before handover.

This continuity helps protect the original design intent throughout the project.

Theatre, Auditorium & Performance-Space Experience

Our theatre consultancy experience covers a wide range of spaces, including:

Professional theatres
Performing arts centres
School theatres
University and college theatres
Auditoria
Studio and black box theatres
Drama and dance studios
Flexible performance spaces
Conference and presentation auditoria
Multi-purpose halls

We have worked on theatre and performance projects throughout the UK and internationally, collaborating with architects, engineers, contractors, educational institutions and venue operators.

Creating Theatres That Work

The best theatres and auditoria combine architectural quality with excellent sightlines, appropriate acoustics, flexible technical infrastructure and practical operation.

Our role as theatre consultants is to bring these requirements together and help the wider design team create a venue that works for audiences, performers, technicians and operators—not just on opening day, but throughout the life of the building.

Talk to a Theatre Consultant

If you are planning a new theatre, auditorium or performing arts facility, refurbishing an existing venue or considering an upgrade to your technical systems, talk to Drama by Design at an early stage.
We can review your project, help establish the specialist requirements and advise on the most appropriate route from feasibility through to completion.

Case Studies

View some of completed theatre project case studies, which include Manchester Metropolitan University Arts & Humanities Building, Platform Theatre, London, Wells Maltings and Reading Rep Theatre