In May 2017, the City Council approved a decision package to move forward with replacing the original and outdated building monitor and PA equipment to help increase efficiencies within the facility, as well as provide for a method to quickly respond in an emergency, which is currently lacking. Staff has received quotes from two contractors for this project and is now seeking the support of the City Council to award the contract to Trinity Sound Company.
Drawing more than 50,000 visitors annually, the Curtis Theatre is responsible for a number of programs contributing to the City's prestigious reputation for Cultural Arts. The Theatre presents and produces an annual season of live performances; cultivates collaborative partnerships with local theatrical production companies; and negotiates bringing notable guest performers to the 199 seat venue. While these performances have a regional draw, they also offer Brea residents - be it a parents night out, seniors on a fixed income, or young people - a cultural arts experience. Additionally, Theatre staff oversees a large-scale youth theatre program serving an average of 475 children playing to sold-out houses, while also providing volunteer opportunities for their parents. The Theatre also derives revenue from its Facility Rental Program, offering performance and meeting space for area schools, performing arts companies, businesses and faith-based organizations. Outside the facility, Theatre staff administers the annual Concerts in the Park Program and contributes to a number of City events.
The building monitor and PA system is used to transmit stage sound to Dressing Rooms A and B, the Green Room and Theatre office. In 2014, one of the amplifiers providing a stage feed to the dressing room malfunctioned, which can happen if used for an extended period of time. As a result, it is unavailable for rentals and programs like Brea's Youth Theatre. Currently, there is no comprehensive means of communication to all backstage areas, even in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, rental clients expect that there is an efficient call system to communicate among the various parts of the Theatre, something that is a standard feature in many civic-run or school performing spaces. The cost of a building monitor and PA system includes the following features: paging, recorded music/announcement playback capabilities, stage monitoring and chiming. These features are interchangeable and customizable to 12 zones within the facility: Dressing Rooms A/B/C, Scene Shop, backstage restrooms, Green Room, office, lobby, lobby restrooms, lobby exterior, spot booth, tech booth, and Backstage SM Station.
Several vendors were contacted to provide a quote for this project; however, staff only received reasonable responses from the following vendors:
Vendor: |
Quoted Amount: |
| Trinity Sound Company |
$49,727.53 |
| Apex Audio |
$100,186.81 |
In addition to being the lowest bidder, Trinity Sound Company has also had previous experience working with the City of Brea on live events (Brea Fest, Concerts in the Park and the Centennial Parade), installing audio equipment at both the Brea Senior Center and the Brea Community Center, and maintaining a positive professional relationship with the Curtis Theatre while providing support on various performances, meetings, community programs and rentals. |