Welcome Center
and Theater
Addition
The WNCC Welcome Center and Theater serves as the center for student gatherings on campus. The renovation and addition accommodate a new student services one-stop shop suite, business office, student gathering/socialization space and meeting and study rooms, as well as a new learning center and student union.
Areas of renovation and new construction included a complete renovation of the mechanical system and transformation of the facility to the crown jewel of student activity on campus. The addition of the new grand entry and lobby along with the new orientation of the theater creates a better separation between the front of house and back of house to improve the experiences for the audience and performers.
The new and improved theater and performance hall has the capacity to accommodate both the theater and music programs along with the performance needs of the college and the Scottsbluff Community in an intimate, engaging setting. Reducing the width of audience seating and pushing it closer to the stage creates a more intimate experience visually and acoustically.
The new theater has sound and light locks at the entrances and improved sound isolation between the audience and the performance area. In addition to the theater, choral, instrumental classrooms, and practice rooms were designed to create a true performing arts education facility.
During initial conversations about the Main Building, it became increasingly important for the design team to solve users' needs to navigate the complex building by adding a system of wayfinding signs and other area identifications.