Apeiro Design’s (Auerbach Pollock Friedlander’s) consulting services capped a two-decade relationship with the Rep. In conjunction with the original 400-seat thrust theatre of which the firm designed in 1980, the Roda theatre enables the Berkeley Rep to present a wider range of plays, augmenting their repertory and allowing them to reach a larger audience.

Among the many unique features of the theatre is the modular structural floor system, these modules are completely removable, from the front edge of the stage to the rear wall. They can be reconfigured allowing a seamless transition between the stage and the audience area, which allows actors to interact with the audience in multiple ways. The modules also allow the stage to be “trapped” allowing actors to be raised from below to appear before the audience.

The Berkeley Rep thrust theatre renowned for its intimate audience/performer relationship, therefore it was important to maintain the same intimate quality in the Roda theatre. Consequently, the front of the balcony is only 38 feet from the front edge of the stage with the furthest seat in the house only 49 feet from the front edge of the stage promoting immediacy and excellent communication.

In addition to the theatrical systems consulting, Apeiro Design (Auerbach Glasow) designed the architectural lighting for the theatre and public spaces.