Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J. Stephenson Theatre – The Phoenix Theatre Company
Transforming a theater venue into a destination for professional productions requires engineering systems that support performance, acoustics, audience comfort, and operational flexibility. At the Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J. Stephenson Theatre, Henderson Engineers partnered with the project team to convert an existing black box theater into a modern 500-seat proscenium theater designed to accommodate high-level theatrical productions, including touring and pre-Broadway performances.
The renovation introduced a new fly tower, a defining feature that allows scenery and stage backdrops to move seamlessly on and off stage. This capability gives production teams the flexibility to test and refine shows before larger runs, positioning the theater as a venue capable of supporting Broadway-bound performances while expanding opportunities for the local arts community. Project success centered on opening the facility in time for its inaugural production of Frozen, a milestone achieved through close collaboration and careful coordination across the design and construction team.
Team Henderson provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services to support the theater’s transformation into a high-performing performing arts venue. The project required sophisticated infrastructure to balance technical performance, audience comfort, and the unique environmental demands of live entertainment spaces.
The theater operates on a chilled water system paired with a custom air handling unit designed specifically for the acoustic and operational requirements of the venue. Our mechanical engineers worked closely with the acoustical consultant to coordinate system performance, minimize noise impacts, and create an indoor environment that supports both performers and patrons. This integrated approach helped maintain sound quality while delivering reliable thermal comfort throughout the performance space.
Electrical engineering also played a critical role in the renovation. We coordinated extensively with theater lighting and audiovisual consultants to meet the complex power demands of theatrical systems, ensuring lighting, AV equipment, and stage technologies could perform reliably during productions. Careful systems integration helped support the flexibility expected of a professional theater venue while maintaining operational efficiency behind the scenes.
Located on a campus shared with the Phoenix Art Museum and owned by the City of Phoenix, the theater serves as an important cultural destination for the region. As construction neared completion, Henderson’s deep familiarity with the facility led the owner to expand the partnership to include an additional VIP lobby bar project, reinforcing confidence in the team’s performance and collaborative approach.
The completed renovation reflects a thoughtful investment in the future of live entertainment and theater venues, creating a flexible, technically advanced space designed to support professional productions for years to come. The project earned the 2026 RED Award Redevelopment Project of the Year in recognition of its transformative impact and successful redevelopment.
The renovation introduced a new fly tower, a defining feature that allows scenery and stage backdrops to move seamlessly on and off stage. This capability gives production teams the flexibility to test and refine shows before larger runs, positioning the theater as a venue capable of supporting Broadway-bound performances while expanding opportunities for the local arts community. Project success centered on opening the facility in time for its inaugural production of Frozen, a milestone achieved through close collaboration and careful coordination across the design and construction team.
Team Henderson provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services to support the theater’s transformation into a high-performing performing arts venue. The project required sophisticated infrastructure to balance technical performance, audience comfort, and the unique environmental demands of live entertainment spaces.
The theater operates on a chilled water system paired with a custom air handling unit designed specifically for the acoustic and operational requirements of the venue. Our mechanical engineers worked closely with the acoustical consultant to coordinate system performance, minimize noise impacts, and create an indoor environment that supports both performers and patrons. This integrated approach helped maintain sound quality while delivering reliable thermal comfort throughout the performance space.
Electrical engineering also played a critical role in the renovation. We coordinated extensively with theater lighting and audiovisual consultants to meet the complex power demands of theatrical systems, ensuring lighting, AV equipment, and stage technologies could perform reliably during productions. Careful systems integration helped support the flexibility expected of a professional theater venue while maintaining operational efficiency behind the scenes.
Located on a campus shared with the Phoenix Art Museum and owned by the City of Phoenix, the theater serves as an important cultural destination for the region. As construction neared completion, Henderson’s deep familiarity with the facility led the owner to expand the partnership to include an additional VIP lobby bar project, reinforcing confidence in the team’s performance and collaborative approach.
The completed renovation reflects a thoughtful investment in the future of live entertainment and theater venues, creating a flexible, technically advanced space designed to support professional productions for years to come. The project earned the 2026 RED Award Redevelopment Project of the Year in recognition of its transformative impact and successful redevelopment.
