The Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts serves as home to the Department of Theatre & Communication Arts at Whittier College.
Opened in 1990, this state-of-the-art facility includes:
- Robinson Theatre, a mainstage with maximum seating capacity of 403, variable by configuration*
- Studio Theatre, a "black box" theatre with maximum seating capacity between 72-100, also variable**
- One traditional classroom
- Five faculty offices
- A Greenroom/Seminar Room
- Two Large Group Dressing Rooms
- Scenic and Costume construction studios
- Main Lobby and DramAlum Lobby
- Founders Room, for meetings and special functions
- Nixon Scholars Center, featuring collection of signed works.
Robinson Theatre - Variable Configuration and Acoustics
- Standard Proscenium Configuration (typical stage arrangement)
- Proscenium with Orchestra Pit
- Proscenium with Extended Apron
- Shakespearean-style Thrust Stage
- "Cabaret-style" with small apron extension, orchestra seating area chairs removed and replaced with tables and chairs
- Ballroom configuration (stage extended throughout entire orchestra seating area)
- Acoustical control via seven (7) green velour banners around the auditorium:
- Banners Down for spoken drama & amplified sound.
- Banners Up for acoustical music (orchestra, voice, piano).
Studio Theatre - Variable Configuration and Acoustics
- Completely movable platform and seating system for a wide variety of seating and performance configurations.
- Unique "Tension Grid" system in Studio Theatre enables complete access to overhead equipment without the use of ladders, while maintaining transparency for stage lighting.