Dakota Theater upgrades to Elation LED lighting

Dakota Theater, one of The Hague’s eight cultural anchors and a vibrant artistic hub of the Dutch city, has taken a significant step into the future with the installation of an LED lighting system by Elation. The upgrade is said to mark a major improvement in functionality, creative flexibility, and energy efficiency, providing enhanced creative possibilities for designers and a richer visual experience for audiences.

As one of the key cultural venues in The Hague, Dakota Theater hosts an array of artistic productions, from experimental theatre and festivals to film screenings, musical performances, workshops, and presentations. With a 184-seat theatre, a 64-seat movie theatre, and an affiliated school, the venue required a modern lighting system that could meet the diverse demands of its programming.

Recognising the need for an upgrade, the theatre sought to transition from its traditional lighting to an advanced LED system. To achieve the transformation, Dakota Theater collaborated with Rolight, Elation’s Dutch distributor, who played a pivotal role in advising, supplying, and supporting the installation process.

After an in-depth demo at the theatre, the choice fell on the KL and FUZE series

• 32 KL PROFILE FC with interchangeable Fresnel lenses for versatile front lighting.

• 8 KL FRESNEL 6 FC for stage fill and hall lighting.

• 8 FUZE WASH 500 for dynamic side fill.

• 10 KL CYC L for horizon lighting and footlights.

• 5 KL FRESNEL 6 for use in the movie theatre and house lighting.

The upgrade was reportedly driven, in part, by the discontinuation of bulbs for the theatre’s old fixtures, prompting a necessary transition to LED.

“When we saw the KL PROFILE FC during the demo, we were instantly convinced,” said Nigel Heidt, Dakota Theater’s technician. “The difference was so significant that we knew we needed these lights. From the lumens to the colours, it fit all the needs we had. The ability to switch from spot to Fresnel gives us incredible flexibility in designing our light plans.”

New lighting in the movie theatre was also on the wish list, and upon seeing the KL FRESNEL 6 FC, the team said they knew it was a perfect solution. “It gives us the option to transform our movie theatre the way we want it,” said Heidt. “Sometimes we have presentations there or panel discussions after a movie, and the lights let us create the perfect setting.

“The FUZE WASH 500 is an amazing fixture, and we use it as our main backlight or as an effect light. The option to easily create spots from the light desk without having to move is perfect. The colours and the options we have with the beam are what sold us,” he continued.

The KL CYC units reportedly offer a powerful and adaptable horizon and footlight solution. “They have a lot of options, which is perfect for us, and the amount of light they produce is insanely bright,” Heidt explained.

Rolof Tilanus, project consultant at Rolight, added, “The fixtures performed beyond expectations. They are positioned quite high, but they’re more than strong enough and even better than we anticipated.”

Heidt says the benefits of the new system are numerous. The theatre often works with non- or semi-professionals, who know little about light, and having an LED setup gives them many more options than conventional lights. Heidt also highlights another benefit: “Whereas in the past we had to walk to our bridge to change filters and then walk back only to hear ‘we don’t like this colour,’ now we have every colour available at the press of a button.” He says the same goes with the FUZE WASH, which allows them to reposition beams effortlessly, streamlining their workflow and improving production quality: “And of course, in terms of power usage, the new LED system is way more economical.”

Rolight’s expertise was said to be instrumental throughout the process, from advice on the right equipment to design and programming support, to fixture supply. The company also replaced the theatre’s dimmer system with modern switch packs, ensuring an up-to-date power supply.

Tilanus says the client liked the fact that all the lights have the same RGBMA colour engine (with the exception of the KL Fresnel 6), so they have compatible colours across the system. Praising the versatility of the new lighting installation, he stated, “The multifunctionality of the system allows the theatre to do much more than previously. They now have a perfectly flexible setup with profile and wash options, more light, more colour options, and greater adaptability. They have a perfectly flexible setup, and the uniform RGBMA colour engine ensures colour consistency across fixtures.”

Completed in September 2024, the installation has reportedly been met with enthusiasm from the Dakota Theater team. With its advanced lighting capabilities, the theatre is well-positioned to continue serving as a dynamic cultural anchor in The Hague for years to come.