Following an extensive $2-million renovation that spared it from the wrecking ball, the opulent Paradise Theatre in West Allis, Wis. has been given a new lease on life as the west campus to Milwaukee's fast-growing Epikos Church. As part of the venue's rebirth, the church hired Grand Rapids, Mich.-based LiveSpace to provide a full AVL package that included a KIVA/KILO loudspeaker system by L-Acoustics.
Originally built in 1929, the landmark 1,100-seat theatre has served over the years as a performing arts theater, a hub for local vaudeville, and a cinema house and worship facility for other church groups. In recent years, however, the Paradise was vacant, falling into such disrepair that building inspectors declared it must either be repaired or demolished.
Last year, Epikos Church Lead Pastor Danny Parmelee invested in the theater as the west campus satellite to its already-thriving flagship downtown campus, which he founded in 2005. One of Parmelee's philosophies is to “grow big, but stay small—that Epikos can continue to grow while not forsaking relational intimacy and depth in discipleship.”
Working closely with Epikos Church Technical Director Patrick Evans, LiveSpace Vice President of Integration AJ Sweeney spearheaded the design of the new sound system using L-Acoustics' Soundvision modeling software. The final result was an installation featuring left and right arrays each comprised of four KIVA enclosures flown beneath two KILO low-frequency extension cabinets. An array of four SB18i subs is positioned above the center of the proscenium for additional low-end reinforcement, and is hung in a cardioid configuration that keeps bass frequencies off the stage without reducing forward SPL. Two LA4 amplified controllers were also installed to power and process the entire system.
