ETC Eos Apex Powers Lighting at Internationaal Theatre Amsterdam | Digital AV Magazine

The Internationaal Theatre Amsterdam (ITA), a leading theatre and touring company in the Netherlands, has upgraded its lighting control system with ETC’s Eos Apex, deploying the new technology during its current European tour of ‘Giovanni’s Room’. The upgrade, completed with support from ETC dealer Ampco Flashlight, reflects ITA’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its facilities and enhancing production quality. This move positions ITA at the forefront of technical innovation within the Dutch performing arts landscape.

ITA’s decision to adopt the Eos Apex wasn’t made lightly. The team, led by lighting coordinator Wannes Klop, evaluated multiple lighting control systems, prioritizing performance, flexibility, and reliability. ETC’s system stood out due to its “colour engine, high-quality build, and precise control,” attributes crucial for both the venue’s resident productions and the demands of touring performances. LSi Online reports that the venue’s requirements, as well as their touring needs, were key considerations in the selection process.

The Eos Apex Ecosystem at ITA

The installation at ITA isn’t a single console deployment; it’s a comprehensive system integration. The new setup includes an Eos Apex 5 console, two Apex FP consoles, two Ion XE 20 control surfaces, a Programming Wing, ETC Puck, Fader Wings, and Source Four LED Series 2 fixtures. This hardware is integrated with ETC Response Gateways and a Sensor3 ThruPower dimming system, providing complete control over color, intensity, and cues throughout the venue and on tour. The Sensor3 ThruPower system, in particular, offers a robust and reliable dimming solution, essential for complex lighting designs. ETC Connect details that this infrastructure provides the team with comprehensive control capabilities.

The Eos Apex family represents ETC’s latest advancements in lighting control. The Apex 5 console, the core of the new system, offers a streamlined interface and powerful processing capabilities. The Apex FP consoles provide portable control options, ideal for touring productions. The Ion XE 20 consoles offer a more compact control surface, while the Programming Wing expands programming capabilities. These consoles all operate on ETC’s Eos software platform, known for its flexibility and intuitive workflow.

Precision and Control: The Lighting Engineer’s Perspective

Wouter Pieters, a lighting engineer at ITA, highlighted the system’s precision and usability. “The system allows for very precise operation, which is exactly what we needed at ITA,” he commented. He specifically praised the hardware, noting that the encoders – the physical controls used to adjust lighting parameters – are “incredibly useful.” Pieters explained that the new system provides 14 encoders, a significant increase from the previous setup, allowing for more nuanced and immediate control over lighting cues. This level of control is particularly valuable for complex productions like ‘Giovanni’s Room’, which requires precise lighting to convey mood and emotion.

The Eos software’s color engine is a key component of the upgrade. Modern theatrical lighting increasingly relies on sophisticated color mixing to create dynamic and immersive environments. The Eos system’s color engine allows lighting designers to create and manipulate colors with exceptional accuracy and subtlety. This is particularly important for productions that tour to different venues, as the color rendering capabilities of different lighting fixtures can vary. The Eos system helps to ensure consistent color reproduction across all venues.

Touring Considerations and System Integration

ITA’s decision to invest in the Eos Apex system was also driven by the demands of its touring schedule. The company’s productions, including ‘Giovanni’s Room’, rotate between venues of all sizes every two weeks. This requires a lighting control system that is both powerful and portable. The Apex FP consoles and the integrated infrastructure are designed to meet these requirements, allowing the lighting team to easily transport and deploy the system in different venues. The system’s ability to handle complex lighting designs while remaining portable is a significant advantage for a touring company.

The integration of ETC Response Gateways and the Sensor3 ThruPower dimming system further enhances the system’s reliability and flexibility. The Response Gateways provide a robust network infrastructure for controlling the lighting fixtures, while the Sensor3 ThruPower system offers precise dimming control and monitoring capabilities. This integrated approach ensures that the lighting system operates smoothly and reliably, even in challenging environments.

ETC’s Perspective and Future Programming

Robbi Nassi, ETC’s associate regional manager, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with ITA. “We’re delighted that ITA has chosen ETC to support their ambitious programming,” Nassi stated. He emphasized ETC’s commitment to providing tools that empower lighting designers and technicians with the creative freedom they need, while also ensuring reliability and consistency. EuropeSays reports Nassi’s statement, highlighting ETC’s dedication to supporting innovative theatrical productions.

The successful deployment of the Eos Apex system at ITA demonstrates the growing demand for advanced lighting control solutions in the performing arts. As theatrical productions become increasingly complex and visually demanding, lighting designers and technicians require tools that can deliver precise control, flexibility, and reliability. The Eos Apex system appears to meet these requirements, positioning ITA as a leader in theatrical lighting technology. The next step will be observing how the system performs over an extended period and gathering feedback from the lighting team to identify any areas for improvement or optimization.