Bernards High School

Beginning in 2023, we worked with Bernards High School over multiple phases to update the technical systems within its auditorium. Our scope included house and theatrical lighting, audio, architectural controls, and soft goods, bringing the technology behind the space up to the same standard as the auditorium itself. The first phase, completed in fall 2023, focused on house lighting. We replaced the existing low-light-level system with a new Pathway LED system featuring smooth 1% dimming. The upgrade included 77 new recessed LED house lights, along with LED retrofits of 16 existing sconces and 16 existing linear fixtures. For theatrical lighting, we furnished and installed a new, expandable DMX power and control system centered around an ETC Ion Xe 20 Digital Lighting Console with dual touchscreen monitors. The existing Sensor SR48+ rack was transitioned to a Sensor 3 platform, supported by 2 ETC DRd12 dimmer racks and an ETC Paradigm Architectural Processor. Multiple entry stations, DMX/RDM gateways throughout the electrics and front-of-house positions, and a dedicated wall-mounted touchscreen were also added. The stage lighting was converted to a full LED color-changing fixture package, including 15 ETC ColorSource V LED spotlights, 26 ColorSource PAR fixtures across Electrics 1, 2, and 3, and 6 ColorSource Cyc fixtures on Electric 3. The audio system was completely updated with 2 JBL VRX900 array clusters, each containing 3 passive loudspeakers and 2 passive subwoofers, along with 4 additional JBL speakers. 4 Crown Dante-enabled amplifiers integrate with the school’s existing Allen & Heath SQ-6 console, while 3 A&H 1608-D Dante stage boxes provide connectivity throughout the stage. The audio package also includes 12 Dante-controlled Sennheiser wireless lavaliers, 4 wireless handhelds, 6 hanging choir microphones, a Dante Bluetooth receiver, Dante XLR stage inputs, and 4 powered JBL stage monitors. Equipment is housed in a secure Middle Atlantic rack with surge-protected, remotely controllable power distribution. For simplified operation, an A&H M32 audio processor connects to a 10-inch touchscreen at the stage and a 7-inch touchscreen at the control desk, providing quick access to presets and everyday system controls. Together, these phased upgrades gave Bernards High School a complete technical refresh while making the most of an already impressive performance space.