Our state-of-the-art building is a multi-disciplinary arts destination in Waterville. The space includes a multipurpose forum room, a major recital hall that serves as a music venue, and various places for teaching, rehearsal, performance, and a film screening room.
The Performance Hall is a 300-seat space tailored to music performances with natural acoustic excellence. The adjustable acoustics, orchestra pit, and wings allow flexibility to serve theatrical and dance performances, lectures, panels, discussions, and other events.
Studio 1 is a performance space with ample natural daylight, with one wall completely made of up floor to ceiling windows. The space includes a control booth and a rigging system accessible by lift and a retractable screen. Seating can be arranged in different configurations and can accommodate up to 120 seated audience members.
Studio 2 is a black box style theater used by all Departments with the capability of total opacity. The space includes a control booth, ceiling light pipe grid, and a uniquely flexible, horizontal and vertical light pipe grid on all four walls. Seating can be arranged in different configurations and can accommodate up to 144 seated audience members.
Studio 3 is used primarily for dance, but may be used by other disciplines. The space features a mirrored wall and sprung floor, a light pipe grid, blackout curtains, and retractable projection screen. Seating can be arranged in different configurations and can accommodate up to 124 seated audience members.
The Olentine Forum is the primary gathering space in the Gordon Center with entrances to the performance spaces and Arts Incubator. The highly flexible space has a lighting grid and may be used for Arts Incubator overflow, campus events, talks and performances, collaboration, and as informal gathering space. Depending on configuration, this space can accommodate around 100 people.
The Arts Incubator supports interdisciplinary creative design, production, and innovation. Students and Faculty from every discipline may come together to explore new interactive technologies, 3D printing, and laser cutting, and use these tools to generate innovative forms of scholarship and creative expression.
The Film Screening Room is tiered with fixed stadium seating for optimal sightlines and includes a flat floor area for a flexible classroom setup and a projection booth. It is designed primarily for cinema but may also be used for lectures, performances, panel discussions, and a classroom. The seating is fixed at 50 audience members.
The Mixdown Studio is a recording studio consisting of a live room and a control room. The studio has angled walls and acoustic drapery. Audio is networked from the live room, as well as the Performance Hall, and studios above.
The Landay Cinema Studies Production Studio is an acoustically isolated room with a two- to three-camera setup. A white cyclorama acts as a backdrop, and four fixed monitors are available for playback. The space is also equipped with controllable wash lighting and a pipe grid.
In addition, there are two film editing rooms, a scene shop, costume shop, small crafts room, music practice rooms, music library, greenroom/classroom, two seminar rooms, two sets of dressing rooms, and a rehearsal room.
The Arts Office is your connection to the resources you need to explore the performing arts at the Gordon Center. Colby faculty, staff, and students can work with the Arts Office to reserve spaces and receive training on specialized production equipment and technology.
How to request classrooms, performance venues, or rehearsal spaces:
Classrooms:
Performance venues and rehearsal spaces:
Please note that training is required and must be scheduled in advance to use the specialized equipment in these spaces, such as the theatrical lighting and sound systems.
How to request special use spaces:
Equipment needed for creative endeavors is available to all members of the Colby community for checkout at the Equipment Checkout Room. There is a variety of photography and video cameras, handheld audio recording equipment, and access to a limited supply of live audio gear. Request gear through Reftab, then schedule an appointment for pickup and return by emailing [email protected]. The hours are Monday – Friday from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. during the academic year, and by appointment in the summer.
Email [email protected] with questions about the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts.