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Mansfield advisory board hears technical upgrade needs as staff plans Theater DNA briefing
Summary
The Mansfield Center advisory board on April 17 reviewed technical limitations and equipment needs — including a $30,000–$60,000 projector, a $5,000 screen surface and an estimated $12,000 audio package — and heard that a draft Theater DNA proposal will go to the commission on April 21.
MANSFIELD THEATER, Great Falls — At a regular meeting April 17, the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts Advisory Board discussed a series of technical upgrades aimed at helping the theater attract larger touring shows and improve audience experience.
Laura Auvil, the Mansfield Theater technical director, told board members the venue faces physical constraints that limit full-scale touring productions. “They are usually self-contained for production/tech, but the theater isn’t big enough to do full-scale Broadway productions,” Auvil said, citing limited wing space and sight-line challenges.
Auvil outlined equipment and maintenance priorities the board and staff observed during a recent site tour. She estimated a new projector would cost between $30,000 and $60,000 and said the theater’s screen surfaces need replacement at an estimated $5,000. “The theater has a small screen and a big screen, but both are old, dirty and have holes that are patched,” she said.
On audio, Auvil said the current mix of wired microphones and only two wireless units does not meet industry expectations for touring shows. She proposed a complete audio package — wireless microphones, stands, cables, direct boxes and a road case — with an estimated price of about $12,000.
Lighting also needs attention, Auvil said. She recommended replacing stage fixtures with LED units and upgrading an aging lighting console that currently still saves to a floppy disk. Auvil described the lighting console upgrade and a rigging maintenance inspection, which she hopes to complete this summer to meet OSHA approval, as important steps for safety and improved technical capability.
Auvil described staff responsibilities and local rental arrangements used to support productions, saying she handles loading and unloading trucks, scheduling crews and advancing shows, and that the theater obtains rentals from Johnson Brothers and, when necessary, vendors in Butte and Missoula or from former technical director John Gemberling.
Board members pressed on audience and production impacts. Board Member London Griffith asked about partnerships to provide visiting performers with local information; Auvil and others discussed outreach and hospitality efforts to make Mansfield a destination rather than a midweek stop. Board members also raised concerns about sound changes when the house is full and limited-view seats when stage elements block sight lines.
City staff provided brief updates. Owen Grubenhoff said Theater DNA consultants will present a draft proposal at the April 21 commission work session in the Gibson Room. Events Specialist Lane McAlpine reported on recent and upcoming events but the minutes do not specify details.
The board approved the February 20 and March 20, 2026 meeting minutes after Board Member London Griffith moved approval and Acting Chairman Randy Knowles seconded. There was no public comment. The minutes record that Acting Chairman Knowles called the meeting to adjourn at 12:59 p.m.; the signature block on the minutes also shows Carl Donovan as Acting Chairman and Lane McAlpine as secretary.
Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will present the Theater DNA draft to the commission on April 21 and Auvil hopes to complete the rigging inspection over the summer.
