The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts opened in Melbourne, FL, in 1988, as the Brevard Performing Arts Center. In 1990, the venue was renamed the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts to recognize former Brevard Community College president, Dr. Maxwell C. King, who was a major force behind the development of the facility. The King Center has been providing the Space Coast with quality educational, cultural, and community events ever since.
This 6-story multi-use facility features the mainstage L3Harris Technologies Theatre, which has a seating capacity of 2,016, and the Studio Theatre, a black box, which seats 300. IA Stage’s most recent work with the King Center was the installation of 3 lighting positions – a 12’11” lighting rail located back of house (BOH) right, a 29’.25” lighting rail located BOH center, and a 12’11” lighting rail located BOH left – onto the existing concrete balcony wall of the mainstage. Splitting the center lighting rail into (2) equal sections is a ProLift 600™ (PL-600) projector lift.
With controls located at ground level, the PL-600™ lowers the projector from its compact high trim position down to the house floor for safe and easy access. Designed with a footprint of just 34.5”x34”, a standard travel limit of 20’, and a lift capacity of 600 lbs, PL-600™ is a compact and elegant hoist with the ability to stop on-the-nose at any point of travel. The King Center’s PL-600™ can hold two projectors simultaneously, allowing the venue to accommodate the requirements of touring shows today.
Each lighting position is accessible by a 12’6” wide by 2’11” deep walkable platform attached directly to the balcony. A portable manually operated Thern Commander® 500 Davit crane completes the reno, allowing crew members to easily lift and lower lighting instruments to and from all three lighting positions. The image to the right shows the house-right portion of the center lighting position. You can see how the walking platform (gray) is set back into the cement balcony wall; the location of the PL-600 (black); and the wall-mounted sleeve to mount the portable Davit crane (red).
In 1990 the King Center was designated a state cultural institution. These and other improvements support the King Center’s place as a cherished part of the Central Florida and the Space Coast.