Education
Overview
Adlib delivered a tailored AV and infrastructure package to upgrade Cronton Sixth Form College's Playhouse Theatre, focusing on usability, clarity, and professional presentation standards while respecting the space's visual and architectural design..
Partners & Collaborators
Client
Cronton Sixth Form College
Sector
Education
Services
AV / Set & Drape
Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Year
2025
As part of its continued investment in student experience and campus development, Cronton Sixth Form College commissioned a technical upgrade of its Playhouse Theatre. The venue plays a central role in college life, hosting everything from lectures and student performances to open days and external speaker events.
The college required a solution comprising a projection screen, a new lectern, and a drape backstage. The key criteria were to have a high-quality, user-friendly solution that would integrate seamlessly into the existing space. Moreover, the system needed to be ready to support the diverse range of events and performances hosted by the college throughout the academic year.
Adlib delivered a tailored AV and infrastructure package that focused on usability, clarity, and professional presentation standards, while also respecting the visual and architectural design of the space.
At the centre of the installation is a custom 5-metre wide Da-Lite screen, designed specifically for the venue. The screen features a rear projection, tab-tensioned surface, with an additional 1.5 metres of top masking, allowing it to lower to the client’s preferred height during use, but remaining fully out of sight when retracted.
Video input and distribution were managed via a Blustream WMF72 wireless presentation switcher, which allows presenters to connect from a range of sources, including laptops and mobile devices. Supporting HDBaseT infrastructure was installed to transport signal from the switch to the projector, providing a seamless and reliable connection.
To support formal presentations, Adlib provided a custom-built JM Lecterns height-adjustable lectern, finished in materials selected by the client and branded with the college’s logo. The lectern was fitted with Sennheiser ME36 gooseneck microphones mounted within DPA shock mounts, offering excellent vocal clarity and good resistance to vibrations through the lectern. This combination ensures consistent audio pickup for speakers of different heights and styles.
To increase the usable size of the stage, custom drape and track were installed to separate the back-of-stage area from the main performance zone. This addition allows for the whole stage to be used, without the existing upstage black drape, whilst blocking from view an unsightly backstage storage area.
All components were of a high quality and selected with long-term reliability in mind. The College has gained a significant amount of floorspace on stage, at minimal cost, increasing the flexibility of the space and its applicability to productions of different sizes.
The installation of the new equipment at the Playhouse Theatre at Cronton Sixth Form delivered a significant upgrade to the college’s presentation and event capabilities. From the bespoke projection system to the integrated wireless switching, the system allows staff and students to deliver events confidently, knowing they have professional-grade tools at their disposal.
The integration of the branded lectern reinforces the college’s identity, and high-quality microphones help ensure that the spoken word is delivered clearly.
The project reflects Adlib’s approach to educational AV: combining tailored system design, technical reliability, and ease of use, all delivered to a standard that will support the college’s events for years to come.
Credits
.png){kind=logo}
