The Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater
The Chautauqua Amphitheater — the “Amp” — functions as our community’s most important place for assembly around arts, culture, and worship. During the 2016–17 off-season, Chautauqua Institution rebuilt this essential facility, renewing the Amp to meet the community’s needs for the next 100 years.
June 16 2017 Amphitheater Photos (click to enlarge)
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Our streaming webcams
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Web camera time-lapse: January 17–23, 2017
Web camera time-lapse: January 17–23, 2017
Email Communications
Stay up-to-date with our archive of email communications.
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Web cam time-lapse: Sept. 12-21, 2016
Web Camera Time-lapse
Web Camera Time-lapse Videos
September 23–October 12, 2016 :: Front of House
September 23–October 12, 2016 :: Back of House
October 26–November 6, 2016 :: Front of House
October 26–November 6, 2016 :: Back of House
November 7–14, 2016 :: Front of House
November 7–14, 2016 :: Back of House
November 15–21, 2016 :: Front of House
November 15–21, 2016 :: Back of House
November 22–28, 2016 :: Front of House
November 22–28, 2016 :: Back of House
November 29–December 5, 2016 :: Front of House
November 29–December 5, 2016 :: Back of House
December 5–12, 2016 :: Front of House
December 5–12, 2016 :: Back of House
December 13–19, 2016 :: Front of House
December 13–19, 2016 :: Back of House
December 20, 2016–January 2, 2017 :: Front of House
December 20, 2016–January 2, 2017 :: Back of House
January 3–9, 2017 :: Front of House
January 3–9, 2017 :: Back of House
Renderings Slideshow
Amphitheater Renderings
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Approach from Bestor Plaza -
View just outside Gate 4 -
View from Northern Perimeter -
View from Western End -
View from Southern Perimeter -
View into Bowl from Southern Fence -
Descent into the Seating Bowl -
View from the Stage Area -
View towards Back-Of-House -
View of Rear Pathway
Goals
Goals of the Amphitheater Renewal
The Amphitheater is Chautauqua’s essential place of assembly for arts, culture and worship. Over 140 years, it has been periodically adapted to stand against the wear of time, weather and changing needs.
Goals for this project were:
- Safety and accessibility: address structural concerns; meet the needs of those who are differently abled or who have physical limitations.
- Audience respect: from poor sightlines to seating discomfort and bowl access, the Amp does not meet the expectations of our audiences.
- Artist/presenter respect: the Amp’s backstage and facilities are inadequate for performers and presenters, and the stage/orchestra pit configuration does not support collaborative work.
- Institutional sustainability: vitality for Chautauqua is dependent upon its ability to provide an evolving array of programs; financial sustainability requires that we increase seating and standing capacity.
- Commitment to history: renewing the Amp shows respect for its history of place and purpose while continuing the historic adaptation of its structure.
- Simply stated, an Amphitheater that will meet the community’s needs for the next 100 years.
Objectives
Objectives achieved by the renewed Amphitheater:
Increased functionality
- 100-musician orchestra pit
- Mechanical platform that also can sit flush with floor and stage
- Expanded stage
- Improved stage lighting
- Improved technology systems for sound and projection
- Larger storage areas for scenery and equipment
- Improved loading dock with stage-level access
Increased audience capacity
- Overall capacity increased 13%, to 6,363
- Seating capacity increased 8%, to 4,363
- Covered seating capacity increased 20%, to 4,363
- Standing-room capacity increased 25%, to 2,000
Improved accessibility, safety, comfort and sight lines
- 100 handicap-accessible seats, with companion seats
- Handicap-accessible seating at three levels of seating bowl
- Steps, handrails and tread lights on slopes of bowl
- Improved and expanded restroom facilities
- Ergonomically redesigned wooden benches
- 50% of roof structure columns removed
- Increased rake of floor seating
Modernized and increased functionality of back-of-house
- Increased square footage from (21,200 ft.²) for performers, presenters, crews and storage
- Expanded, climate-controlled space for libraries of classical and choral music
- Improved and expanded dressing rooms and green/multi-purpose room
- Freight elevator
- Expanded rehearsal space
- New restroom facilities
Reference
Reference Material
Discussion from 8/25/2016
Outside Input and Analysis:
- Forecon Tree Survey Results 2013 - 2015
- Community Engagement and Communications Report, August 2015
- National Park Service Letter: CHQ Site Visit August 25, 2015
- Old Structures Report – Structural Analysis
- Old Structures Report – Structural Analysis Part II
- Report of the historic preservation panel
- Character Defining Qualities
- National Park Service Report on Chautauqua NHL District, April 2015
- Analysis by Ted Lownie, HHL Architects (Buffalo), February 2014
- Preservation League of New York State comments, March 2014
- National Trust for Historic Preservation letter, June 2015
Internal Analysis and Historical Reports
- Structural and Photographic Timeline
- Program and Venue Timeline
- Narrative history by Jon Schmitz, archivist and historian
- Public Input Summary
- Study Group Report: Function Goals
- Study Group Report: Site Opportunities and Constraints
Correspondence from Chautauqua Institution:
- See Email Communicatons
- "Renewing Our Amp" Spring Chautauquan Insert, May 2015