Massey Hall

When deployed, Massey Hall Theater’s mechanized seating accommodates traditional theater audiences. The 470 seats are driven to a small storage space under the stage to provide a clear floor area for non-theater events. Four trenches run from the storage area under the stage to the back of the theater’s main floor. A tractor travels within each trench, moving a section of seating between the stored and deployed positions, one row at a time. Each row of seats is secured to the tractor by a mechanized lock, and is lifted by a 5,000 lb. electric cylinder actuator with a 0.5 HP motor. The tractor is driven within the sloped trench by a 1 hp. electric motor chain drive system. A millimeter-precision optical reader and barcode ensures each row of seats is positioned in the correct location. Once in position, the seats are lowered by the tractor, and secured in place by rotating locks that engage with loops embedded in the floor.