Custom Metal Stage System Supports Maryland Theater Upgrade

by Jason Cramp | August 18, 2025 9:33 am

Angled view of Olney Theatre interior with exposed wood trusses, tiered seating platforms, and black steel stage framing.[1]
A custom metal stage system at Olney Theatre provides modular rows and flexible configurations for evolving performance needs. Photo courtesy Sarah Straub, associate director of marketing at Olney Theatre Center

A custom metal stage system was central to a recent upgrade at Olney Theatre in Olney, Md.—one of the state’s official theaters and a long-standing anchor of the regional performing arts community. Completed in early 2025, the renovation enhances performance flexibility and safety across the venue’s main stage.

Working in collaboration with architect EskewDumezRipple, general contractor Whiting Turner, and consultant Theatre Projects, the team delivered a metal-based platform system designed to accommodate multiple configurations. Sightline Commercial Solutions was tasked with fabricating and supplying the fabricated stage systems, which included riser sections, International Building Code (IBC)-compliant guardrails, sockets, and a full trap system.

The new custom metal stage system integrates a combination of 3×3, 3×6, and custom platform sizes to create modular rows that can be used in multiple orientations. The structure allows platforms to remain in place while accommodating changes in seating and stage arrangements.

The metal trap system was fabricated based on 3D laser scans that revealed minor discrepancies in the existing infrastructure—specifically, a 25 mm (1 in.) variation from the original architectural drawings. Addressing these conditions early in the process allowed for field adjustments without impacting schedule or cost.

Straight-on view from stage at Olney Theatre showing wide tiered seating platforms beneath a wood truss roof and steel framing.[2]
The upgraded stage system at Olney Theatre supports multiple seating and stage arrangements with durable, metal-based construction. Photo courtesy Sarah Straub, associate director of marketing at Olney Theatre Center

To support varied elevation requirements, the design initially required 877 legs. That total was nearly halved through the use of adjustable aluminum legs, simplifying installation and improving long-term versatility.

The upgraded system reflects a tailored approach to metal construction in performing arts environments, aligning durable materials with creative flexibility to support evolving staging needs.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Main-image-002.jpg
  2. [Image]: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Secondary-image-002.jpg

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