How to Design a Mini-Theater for an Elementary School

Adjustable height podiums can accommodate both children and adults.

A well-designed mini-theater for an elementary school can provide an enhanced learning environment for children, faculty and employees. The educational experience can be enhanced with a wide range of styles, from simple to complex. The environment of a mini-theater is optimal for short presentations and activities, optimally in the range of 15 minutes per presentation segment. (See Reference 5.) To design a mini-theater, the needs of its users must be balanced with budgetary concerns and available materials, workers and resources.

Things You'll Need

• Lighting with dimmer switch
• Sound system
• Benches
• Podium
• Chair with back and arm rests
• Shelves or crates
• Tent (optional)
• Enclosed area

Instructions

1. Designate a room to serve as your elementary school's mini-theater; if a dedicated room is not feasible, purchase a pop-up tent to create a portable mini-theater. Include child-sized shelves or crates for storage of items used frequently at the mini-theater. Purchase materials that are child-friendly in construction and durability. (See Reference 4.)

2. Plan to arrange seating in your mini-theater so that the stage can be easily viewed from all seats. Use bench seating to facilitate accessibility for varying levels of ability and the wide range of sizes of elementary schoolchildren. Include at least one seat with a back and arm rests for children with mobility impairments. (See Reference 1.)

3. Purchase lighting and sound equipment appropriate for the size of your elementary school's mini-theater. Choose lighting compatible with dimmer switches if possible, to allow for varied lighting, depending on the presentation and the needs of the attendees. (See Reference 1.)

4. Use the stage as a presentation area. Include a removable podium to allow for group presentations such as plays or group reports as well as a venue for single speakers. Situate the podium for stand-alone presenters so speakers may interact comfortably with students. (See Reference 3.)

5. Include a movie screen at eye level for elementary students for viewing films and videos in your mini-theater. The area should be enclosed in a way that prevents unwanted light and noise from entering the room and disrupting films. (See Reference 2.)

6. Allow the mini-theater to be used by faculty and staff for conferences, meetings and continuing education. Make optimal use of the mini-theater space to benefit both children and adults. (See Reference 5.)

Tips & Warnings

• Include signage throughout the facility at an appropriate reading level for elementary school students. Use accessibility notations and arrows to help students locate the mini-theater. (See Reference 1.)

• Limit spending on the mini-theater's sound system. Use a basic speaker system for movies, but amplification with microphones may not be necessary for a mini-theater for elementary students, as sound will travel as it does in a classroom environment. (See Reference 1.)

References

• "Intel Education" publication: Visit Intel Education at NECC!: 2008

Resources

• Encyclopedia: Fort Collins: Arts and Culture: 2011