Nevada Theatre

The Nevada Theatre serves a National Historic landmark and a regional arts Mecca. With over 160 years of history, the venue famously paused its original construction when news arrived that President Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated. Today, it is a hub for culture, hosting more than 240 performances a year including theatre, musical concerts, comedy, and film.

As the theatre’s schedule grew more diverse, the previous audio system struggled. Jack Burke, a member of the Board of Directors and a veteran front-of-house engineer from the Seattle Opera House, led the search for a modern solution.

The Historic Nevada Theatre undertook a major audio upgrade to replace its outdated, limited system and improve the audience experience. Led by front-of-house engineer Jack Burke, the installation centered on an Allen & Heath Avantis 64-channel digital mixing console with the dPack processing package, providing advanced dynamics, effects, and compression. Digital stage boxes, including DX168 units, replaced heavy analog snakes, allowing flexible placement of inputs and outputs across the stage and simplifying setup for different show types.

The Avantis console serves as the central hub for all live events, including theatre productions, concerts, comedy shows, and film presentations. Its processing power and integrated control allow a single operator to manage front-of-house mixes, monitor mixes, and effects simultaneously. This setup ensures consistent, high-quality sound coverage throughout the auditorium and allows guest engineers to work efficiently thanks to the familiarity of Allen & Heath systems.

The results are dramatic. Audience members now experience clear, intelligible sound in every seat, with performers’ voices and instruments delivered with precision and balance. Engineers report improved workflow, easier setup, and reliable operation, while the modular, scalable design ensures the theatre is ready for future productions and more complex events.

Overall, the upgrade has transformed the Historic Nevada Theatre into a modern, flexible venue where technical sophistication enhances the artistic performance, delivering professional-quality sound and a superior audience experience.

“The system was much older,” recounted Burke. “It was really inadequate for what the theatre needed.” He noted that the previous setup failed to provide proper coverage for the audience: “Oftentimes you couldn’t make out the words from the performers.”

The theatre’s board eventually upgraded to the 64-channel Allen & Heath Avantis digital mixer for its versatility and processing power. Their console also features the dPack processing package, which gives engineers access to advanced processing and compressor models. “The Avantis covers all of those performances beautifully,” said Burke. “Especially with the dPack.”

The choice has also streamlined operations for guest engineers. Since the three largest venues in Nevada City and Grass Valley area all feature Allen & Heath consoles, the local talent is already well-versed in the system’s layout. “The people that work around here are well familiar with the Allen & Heath digital architecture,” said Burke. “It’s rough to walk into a gig and have to learn a completely different console right then.”

In addition to user familiarity, the Avantis provides the processing power needed to run entire shows, including monitor mixes, from a single front-of-house position. The dPack upgrade plays a vital role here, by offering emulations of classic compressors and reverbs. “The engineers have their choice,” said Burke. “They are not limited to the standard processing in the board.”

The impact on the audience and performers was felt the moment the system went live. “Since we’ve put in the new system,” said Burke. “They just rave about it.” The clarity provided by the Avantis ensures every patron has a premium experience. “I could hear every word,” said Burke. “And it sounds the same in every seat in the house. There’s just no downside.”

The Historic Nevada Theatre project exemplifies technical innovation, operational efficiency, and audience-focused design, making it a standout candidate for a DR Award. Prior to the upgrade, the venue’s sound system was outdated, inconsistent, and unable to support its diverse program of live theatre, concerts, and film events. This limited intelligibility, compromised performance quality, and hindered technical workflows.

The solution—the Allen & Heath Avantis 64-channel digital console with dPack processing—transformed the theatre into a modern, highly flexible performance space. Digital stage boxes replaced bulky analog snakes, allowing modular input placement and seamless integration with different show formats. The system gives engineers complete control over front-of-house and monitor mixes, while simplifying operation for guest engineers familiar with Allen & Heath workflows.

The result is a venue where every audience member hears clear, balanced sound, regardless of seating, and technicians can efficiently manage complex events with precision. The system’s scalability ensures future-proofing for upcoming productions and technological advancements.

By merging cutting-edge audio technology, workflow efficiency, and enhanced audience experience, the Historic Nevada Theatre upgrade sets a benchmark for performance venues. It embodies the innovation, reliability, and impact that the DR Awards celebrate, making it a compelling winner.