KL Core IP de Elation, the backbone in the remodeling of the Peter Kiewit Concert Hall (Nebraska)

Theatrical Media Services (TMS) Peter Kiewit Concert Hall lighting renovation completes, and the Holland Performing Arts Center de Omaha (Nebraska, USA) using the KL Core IP LED light engine Elation as the backbone of the venue's new front and side lighting systems.

The Holland Center, headquarters of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, It is one of the main performing arts venues in the country. The shoebox style room, con 2000 seats, open layout and maple wood interior, was built ago 20 years as a state-of-the-art acoustic space. However, with the passage of time, your original lighting system, a mix of standard ellipsoidal and first generation LEDs, had become obsolete.

TMS designed and supplied the new lighting system and supporting infrastructure. With the help of the Elation regional representative, William Irwin, organized a demonstration and trial which led to selecting the KL Core IP as the optimal option. This solution has a motor RGBMA LED 400 W and can be adapted as ellipsoidal, Fresnel o monolight. Its compatibility with third-party shutter systems allowed TMS to reuse the existing Source Four device brackets in the venue and attach them to the KL Core.

Michael Arch, TMS Vice President of Production, highlights that “that's one of the reasons we were able to sell the CORE specifically for this space. Allowed them the flexibility to use their existing inventory of barrels, but added the flexibility you get with a great color engine”.

Arch spent nearly four years at Holland Center as an electrician and lighting designer before he and his partners purchased TMS last January, so he knows the area very well.

“One of the challenges we faced with the previous lighting equipment was that it used profile luminaires that were too small and relied on conventional lighting., which did not always make it easier to focus. I had been defending the idea of ​​incorporating moving lights for some time and upgrading to a new generation of LED luminaires in the front and side positions., where we finally installed all the KL CORE units”, said Arch.

A uniform light field

The KL Core IP's high-quality light source offers a CRY of 94,9 and a control CCT of 16 bits of 2400 K a 8500 K, providing precise color consistency and tunable white light. The orchestra requires elevated lighting positions and, at the Holland Center, where the FOH position is 24 meters away, los 15.000 lumen power of each fixture ensures bright, uniform coverage across the large stage.

“The great thing about switching to the RGBMA LED engine is that you get a nice flat light field”. Before, we depended on how well the conventional ellipsoidals focused. Now I have a uniform field at all times and I also get intensity from those colors, so we can really make things stand out”, adds Michael Arch.

The new system includes 76 KL Core IP devices (72 assets), with openings of 5° and 10° for the front light and openings of 19° and 26° for the side positions. The KL Core constitutes the backbone of the front and side lighting systems, complementing the new LED moving heads located on the top. “We were looking for something versatile enough to bring vibrant colors to the stage, but that would also work with the LED moving heads located on the top. I had to compete with her brilliance and, at the same time, match them in color”.

During the COVID pandemic, Omaha Symphony expanded its video capabilities to engage audiences who couldn't attend performances in person. That change, reconoce Arch, made lighting with high color rendering index (CRI) and camera-friendly became a priority. Explain: “It had a device on the ceiling that worked at 7200 K and conventional devices in the front a 3200 K, so we had different color temperatures competing on camera. There was a real intention to get devices with very high CRI to ensure everything looked correct when filming in space”.

A multipurpose room

The venue hosts events five days a week during high season, from symphony concerts to tours, comedies and rock shows, so changes are frequent. “Have many devices that need gels, along with a large open space that sees a lot of turnover, creates a situation where flexibility in instrumentation is important”, said Arch. “This flexibility was very limited with the old conventional systems. Now, with Core, We have that flexibility to put the color where we want and when we want. They really make the space stand out and have been a complete transformation in that space”.

Replacing conventional lamps 750 In the case of LED de 400 W has also meant a significant energy and maintenance savings. “No need to replace lamps or gels, along with the energy efficiency of the Cores, It has been very notable”, subraya Arch, noting that it has also had a financial impact “reasonable”. The IP65 rating of the device also means that dust and other particles are kept out of the device, which helps protect internal components and requires less frequent maintenance.