When the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center opened in 2001, incandescent lighting was the industry standard. Twenty-five years later, those bulbs are no longer manufactured, and the systems designed to support them are now obsolete. Today, energy-saving LED bulbs are the standard, but they are not compatible with yesterday’s dimming systems. In a performing arts center, where smooth and precise dimming sets the mood for every performance, that incompatibility posed a significant challenge.
As the Clarice marks its 25th Anniversary season, that challenge has been addressed through the completion of a multi-year collaborative effort between Facilities Management (FM) and the Clarice staff. This effort modernized the house lighting system, balancing aesthetics, fiscal responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
To support the modernization effort, FM’s Energy and Engineering (E&E) department secured funding from the Maryland Energy Administration, along with additional state support, aligning the project’s energy savings with long-term financial planning. FM’s Planning & Construction’s Renovation Services team managed the implementation, coordinating closely with contractors and Clarice’s technical team to ensure the work was completed with minimal disruption to performances.
The technical path forward required creativity as well as coordination. The E&E team began looking for a solution that would allow lights to dim and brighten smoothly while meeting modern efficiency standards. The Grand Pavilion, home to university-wide special events, presented a complex technical challenge. The original system allowed only a simple on-or-off setting, offering little flexibility for events that required precision lighting to create a specific atmosphere. Achieving that level of precision required integrating new cabling into the ceiling infrastructure and introducing color-changing LED fixtures capable of adapting to the mood of each event. According to Jeff Reckeweg, Technology Manager at The Clarice, the upgrades allow his team to “create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on campus.”
The team upgraded approximately 425 fixtures with modern dimming controls, and the new LED system is projected to save $78,000 annually. While the savings are significant, at the Clarice, lighting is as much about artistry as efficiency. For Reckeweg, the transformation is unmistakable. “Come to the building during the daytime, and it will look much like any other building on campus. But come at 5 p.m., and it transforms…”
As The Clarice celebrates its 25th anniversary, the upgrade ensures its stages can continue to evolve with each performance, shaping atmosphere and experience for decades to come.