From Bank to Black Box Theatre: Gloucester Township’s Community Center Upgrade

Feb 11, 2026

From Bank to Black Box Theatre: Gloucester Township’s Community Center Upgrade

Photo credit: Gloucester Township

A Historic Space Revitalized for the Arts

In the heart of downtown Blackwood’s Arts District, Gloucester Township’s now named Harmony Hall has been reborn as a dynamic community arts venue. What was once the First National Bank of Blackwood, built in 1911, has been transformed into a Black Box Theatre and multi-use cultural space designed to host everything from live music and theatre to local art exhibitions and civic gatherings.

The Township’s vision was to preserve the architectural integrity of this historic landmark while creating a technically advanced and flexible performance environment that could serve as a cornerstone for the area’s cultural revitalization.

Design of the theatre was led by Hewshott (theatre consultant) in collaboration with McKernan Architects and the Township Mayor’s office. Starlite’s Systems Integration team won the bid to execute the installation, system programming, and technical integration of all AV, lighting, control, rigging, and networking systems.

The Starlite team played a large role in the construction and did an excellent job on the project.

Brandon Creel

Partner, Hewshott

Working in Harmony with History and Trades

Starlite’s task was to execute the integration of a compact and unconventional space into a fully functional, modern performance space while navigating the challenges of a multi-trade construction site in a confined historic building.

“The biggest hurdle,” recalls Project Manager Ben Tilley, “was coordination. Multiple trades were working in tight quarters, and even small deviations — like HVAC or sprinkler placement — had a domino effect on ceiling heights, rigging points, and curtain track alignments. Constant communication with the architect, consultant, and other trades was critical.”

Through weekly coordination meetings, meticulous field adjustments, and adaptive problem-solving, Starlite’s integration team maintained both schedule and quality while ensuring the end result matched the design intent.

Technical Integration: Seamless Control, Simple Operation

The theatre’s technical backbone features a complete suite of AV, lighting, rigging, and networking systems, all designed for ease of use and flexibility which are hallmarks of Starlite’s integration philosophy.

This plug-and-play VLAN network was a standout achievement. “Creating an AV network with multiple VLANs that also allowed any type of device to plug in and work seamlessly” Tilley noted. Our programmer Nick Minieri worked hard to make this happen.

Key systems and technologies include:

Lighting & Control:

ETC theatrical lighting fixtures, Chauvet Professional moving lights, ETC control board paired with Interactive Technologies’ CueStation for intuitive architectural controls operation.

AV & Control:

Crestron control and touch panels, Visionary AvoIP, and conncetions to Q-SYS DSP, programmed for simple, one-touch operation.

Audio Systems:

Allen & Heath mixing, QSC loudspeakers, Q-SYS processing, LEA Professional amplification, Green Go wireless production intercom, and Shure microphones for high-quality, reliable sound reinforcement.

Projection & Presentation:

Epson projection and Da-Lite screen for versatile performance and presentation use.

Rigging & Drapery:

Pipe grid, ADC and Rose Brand components, including custom curtain track switchers that allow the space to be enclosed or opened in seconds.

Network:

Netgear switches configured to support multiple VLANs, enabling any device — lighting console, audio console, or video encoder — to plug in anywhere and automatically discover its correct network path.

Platforms and Seating:

Spec Seats for portable seating and storage carts, Sightline for portable platforms, railings, carts, and accessories.

Talk with our team to learn more about these technologies

Programming for the People

For Starlite, success isn’t just about integrating cutting-edge equipment — it’s about creating systems that feel effortless for the end user. Every touch panel and network connection was programmed to simplify complex operations, giving staff and visiting artists intuitive control over sound, lighting, and visuals.

Now, with just a few taps on a Crestron touch panel, users can:

Power the entire system on or off
Adjust house light color and intensity
Switch between event modes (ex: theatre, lecture, live music)
Reconfigure AV routing instantly

The result is a future-ready, user-friendly venue that empowers the community to host performances and events without needing specialized technical expertise.

Building for the Future

Sustainability and scalability were key considerations on this project..

All lighting fixtures are LED, reducing energy costs and heat output.
Additional CAT6 runs were installed at strategic points to provide flexibility for future expansions.
System components were mounted with serviceability in mind, ensuring easy access for maintenance or upgrades.

Community Impact and Reception

The newly completed Black Box Theatre has already become a vital heartbeat of the Gloucester Township arts community, offering a modern, flexible, and welcoming venue for performance and gathering.

The transformation is striking: what was once a bank lobby is now a fully functional performance venue where every light, sound, and visual element works in harmony allowing the community to have a shared space of creativity.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, who now shares the space, provides a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults. Using the performing arts as a catalyst for individual expression and growth, Mainstage enriches the quality of life for its South Jersey community.

“It has been such a meaningful and rewarding experience watching Harmony Hall come to life. I feel fortunate to have witnessed such a wide range of events there in the brief time that it’s been open. From a high energy, magical Holiday concert, to a township government reorganization meeting, to 3 different theatrical productions in the span of 3 weeks, watching the space transform for the event, and to hold people from various walks of life in the South Jersey community has been remarkable.”

Erica Harr

Artistic Director , Mainstage Center for the Arts

In Reflection

For Starlite’s Systems Integration department, projects like Gloucester Township’s Black Box Theatre are rewarding as well as great examples of our integration and construction skillsets. They blend our technical precision and creative problem-solving with our deep respect for how creative spaces serve communities.

Working side-by-side with other construction trades, Starlite delivered clean integration and programming for a space that is both technically sophisticated and refreshingly simple to operate. This ensures that theatre, live music, and community events can now take center stage with ease.

Project Snapshot

Location	Harmony Hall Gloucester Township Community Center, Gloucester Township, NJ
Type	Black Box Theatre / Community Arts Space
Completed	2025
Architect Theatre Consultant	McKernan Architects Hewshott
Systems Installed	Lighting, Audio, Video, Control, Rigging, Networking, Seating and Platforms
Key Brands	ETC, Crestron, Q-SYS, Interactive Technologies, Allen & Heath, Shure, QSC, Epson, Netgear, Spec Seats, Sightline
Starlite’s Role	Systems Integration, Installation, Programming, Commissioning

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Collingswood Scottish Rite Auditorium Lighting Upgrade

Oct 23, 2024

Collingswood Scottish Rite Auditorium Lighting Upgrade

Collingswood Scottish Rite Project Background

The Excelsior Scottish Rite Temple, also known as the Collingswood Scottish Rite Auditorium, is a historic venue with roots tracing back to the early 20th century. Originally a mansion owned by notable figures such as Samuel French and later owned by Edward Collings Knight Sr., the property was purchased by the Excelsior Scottish Rite in 1930. Since 2003, it has been leased by the Borough of Collingswood and managed by the Collingswood Foundation for the Arts, hosting over a million guests in its classic venue for over 20 years.

Our relationship with the Scottish Rite Auditorium dates back to 2006 when Starlite upgraded their performance lighting control system to an ETC system. This long-standing partnership, coupled with our role as a rental resource for their productions and concerts, positioned us as the ideal partner for their house lighting upgrade project.

Project Challenges

The auditorium’s existing house lighting system was outdated and inefficient:

Incandescent lighting fixtures housed in glass reflectors were energy-intensive and costly to operate.

The old fixtures generated excessive heat, particularly problematic given their proximity to the historic stained glass ceiling.

The over 30-year-old Kliegl Brothers lighting control system was severely outdated.

Wall sconces throughout the theater used inefficient incandescent bulbs.

Starlite’s Solution

Starlite’s Systems Integration Team proposed and implemented a comprehensive lighting upgrade that included:

Down Lighting (House Lighting): Installed 57 new Light Source HL-series architectural LED down lights, replacing 326 incandescent fixtures.
Wall Sconces: Upgraded 12 sconces with ETC ArcLamps, transitioning from incandescent to LED technology.
Control System: Implemented a new ETC Paradigm lighting control system, including architectural lighting controls and an emergency lighting system.

Original fixtures above stained glass

New HL-series fixtures

Execution

The execution of this project was a complex undertaking that required careful planning, expert implementation, and close collaboration to navigate the unique challenges presented by the historic venue.

The project’s scope encompassed a comprehensive overhaul of the auditorium’s house lighting system. After demolition of the previous fixtures was completed, our team installed 57 new Light Source HL series architectural LED down lights, working with utmost care around and above the historic stained glass ceiling. Simultaneously, we integrated the new ETC Paradigm control system and emergency controls, replacing the outdated Kliegl Brothers system. The upgrade also extended to the theater’s decorative lighting, where we replaced the wall sconces and lamps with energy-efficient ETC ArcLamps, transitioning from incandescent to LED technology with advanced dim-to-warm functionality. This comprehensive approach ensured a complete modernization of the venue’s lighting infrastructure while preserving its historic charm.

The project’s execution was shaped by several significant challenges:

Limited Access: The historic catwalk and confined space above the antique stained glass windows posed considerable difficulties for our team during the installation of new lighting fixtures and support structures. This required innovative approaches and specialized equipment to ensure safe and effective work.

Electrical Constraints: The venue’s older electrical infrastructure, including dated wiring and conduits, necessitated careful planning and execution for new installations. Our team partnered closely with Chammings Electric Inc. (the venue’s electrical contractor) to find solutions that respected the building’s historical integrity while meeting modern electrical standards.

Delicate Work Environment: The presence of the antique stained glass ceiling demanded extraordinary care and precision. Our team implemented specialized protective measures and worked with heightened awareness to prevent any damage to these irreplaceable historical elements.

With a project having many difficulties ahead, Starlite made the entire process extremely easy to complete. Working in a space built in 1931 that hadn’t been upgraded since was a major feat. From the initial stages of design all the way through installation, the communication and customer service were incredible. Choosing fixtures that would provide the coverage and brightness we needed while shooting through the stained-glass ceiling was a challenge. The design team knocked it out of the park with their choice of fixtures. After seeing them in our theatre for a demo, we knew this was what we needed. Coming in right at, or even a little under, budget was a huge plus thanks to our sales rep, Bob Wolfe. Your installation team was nothing but professional and helpful during this process. Most of the time, they were working, and we didn’t even realize they were still in the building. Post-installation support for minor changes to programming and any questions has been amazing. We could not be happier with the overall product we received. Starlite will be our first call for any future lighting projects!

Joe Schramm

Production Manager , Scottish Rite Auditorium

Collaboration

To address these challenges and ensure the best possible outcome, Starlite collaborated closely with Brandon Creel of Hewshott, an independent theater consultancy. This partnership was crucial in developing a precise lighting design that not only worked within the venue’s architectural constraints but also met its functional and aesthetic needs. The collaborative approach allowed us to leverage combined expertise in historic venue renovations and cutting-edge lighting technology.

Throughout the execution phase, our team maintained open communication channels with the client, consultants, and other stakeholders. Joe Schramm (Production Manager) and Paula Lara (Executive Director) helped facilitate this project’s progression. This ensured that any unforeseen issues could be quickly addressed and that the project remained aligned with the client’s vision and the venue’s historical significance.

Despite the challenges, Starlite’s Systems Integration Team successfully completed the project, delivering a state-of-the-art lighting system that respects and enhances the venue’s historic character while providing significant improvements in functionality, energy efficiency, and control.

Light Source fixtures above stained glass

The Results

The lighting upgrade resulted in significant improvements:

Energy Efficiency: LED fixtures dramatically reduced power consumption and heat generation.
Enhanced Control: The new ETC Paradigm system provided modern, flexible lighting control options.
Improved Aesthetics: Updated house lighting and sconces enhanced the venue’s appearance while respecting its historic character.
Cost Savings: Reduced energy consumption and longer-lasting LED technology will result in long-term cost savings.

This project showcases Starlite’s ability to navigate complex, historically sensitive environments while delivering cutting-edge lighting solutions. By successfully upgrading the Collingswood Scottish Rite Auditorium’s house lighting system, we’ve not only improved the venue’s functionality and efficiency but also contributed to the preservation of a significant historical landmark.

The challenges faced and overcome during this project have further enhanced our team’s expertise, preparing us for future complex installations in historic venues.

Looking to upgrade to LED lighting?

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Illuminating a Landmark: Philadelphia City Hall Gets A Lighting Upgrade

Sep 3, 2024

Illuminating a Landmark: Philadelphia City Hall Gets A Lighting Upgrade

When the opportunity arose to collaborate on a Philadelphia lighting upgrade for the iconic City Hall, we eagerly accepted the challenge. Known for our expertise in integrating and programming exterior lighting systems, we were excited to bring a fresh, modern perspective to one of the most recognizable landmarks in the region.

City Hall Project Background

Philadelphia City Hall is more than just the largest municipal building in the United States; it’s a living testament to the city’s rich history and architectural prowess. Constructed in 1894, this Second Empire-style building is adorned with intricate sculptures and crowned by a 27-ton statue of William Penn. The building was illuminated for decades by conventional floodlights, which, while functional, did little to highlight its ornate details and grandeur.

With the advent of color-changing LED technology and a growing interest in enhancing the city’s nightscape, it was time to upgrade. The goal was to replace the outdated floodlights with a cutting-edge lighting system that could dynamically change the building’s appearance for holidays and events while being remotely controlled and easy to maintain.

Project Challenges

This Philadelphia lighting project presented several unique challenges. The lighting fixtures needed to be installed on ten separate buildings surrounding City Hall, each with its own access protocols and logistical hurdles. Additionally, the dense urban environment of Center City Philadelphia, with its high levels of RF spectrum usage and powerful cellular arrays, posed significant risks to the reliability of the wireless DMX transmission.

Because the lighting fixtures were installed on ten separate buildings surrounding City Hall, some privately held, the project timeline required detailed coordination among multiple parties. Our project partners did an exceptional job of arranging access protocols to allow our technicians to get up to the various rooftops as needed, but using the wireless and remote capabilities of the system was vital to the project’s success. To avoid spoiling the surprise of the new lighting for most residents, the programming sessions were scheduled to start late at night and go until early in the morning.

Starlite Philadelphia Lighting Solutions

Fixtures installed on a surrounding building

Starlite’s solution for the Philadelphia lighting upgrade centered around the City Theatrical Multiverse® Wireless DMX. This was chosen for its exceptional interference rejection and reliability in crowded RF environments. We began by establishing a network of transmitters on the roof of City Hall, carefully aligning antennas to ensure a robust connection to the receiving units on the surrounding buildings.

Throughout the installation, our team used advanced tools like the RadioScan Spectrum Analyzer to select the optimal frequency ranges and troubleshoot any issues with signal transmission. Thanks to the remote capabilities of the Multiverse system, we were able to minimize the need for physical access to the equipment. This kept the project on schedule and within budget.

Our integration process also included innovative problem-solving when unexpected challenges arose. For example, when cellular arrays interfered with signal transmission, we adapted by relocating transmitters and daisy-chaining signals across remote buildings. This flexibility allowed us to maintain a strong and uninterrupted connection, ensuring the system’s reliability.

The Results

The newly illuminated Philadelphia City Hall shows off its innovation and artistry in the heart of the city. Thousands of residents and visitors pass by this landmark daily. The dynamic lighting not only enhances its architectural beauty but also serves as a wayfinding tool.

Starlite is proud to have played a role in bringing this historic building into the modern age while preserving its legacy. Our collaboration with The Lighting Practice and other project partners has resulted in a truly transformative experience, showcasing the power of technology to elevate art and architecture to new heights.

Our team of creative, detail-oriented professionals has the technical artistry, credentials, and work ethic needed to transform your current audio, visual, and/or lighting needs—and to treat you more like a person than a project.

Check out Live Design’s Q&A with Sr. Project Manager Andrew Thompson

Partner with Starlite on your next professional lighting project.

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Winslow Township High School Auditorium

Jan 3, 2020

Winslow Township High School Auditorium

This project was a complete auditorium renovation at Winslow Township High School. This included the replacement, and upgrade of all theatrical systems, including audio, video, lighting, and rigging.

Starlite’s Systems Integration team completed this auditorium renovation after being hired by the electrical contractor DEC Electric. Starlite then provided all the equipment and labor to complete the installation of these systems. The total cost of the theatrical portion of this project was close to $750,000.

This project required careful coordination with many allied trades over many months to ensure that construction was done efficiently and without conflict. Though there were a few delays in construction (when is there not?), the contractors were able to turn over a newly renovated, fully functional theater to the school on time. The school’s theatrical team, as well as administrators were very impressed.

The rigging system included (4) Thern clew winches that allow a user to raise or lower the on stage pipe battens containing lights. This is helpful for the theatrical team to change, move, clean, adjust, etc. fixtures without use of ladders or lifts. At the FOH location, we installed a ETC 1500 Prodigy Hoist system, which allows the same convenience of the winches, with just the push of a button to trigger the electric motor.

The A/V system was highlighted by the left and right line array speakers, as well as two subwoofers that were flown above the front of the stage. The arrays were comprised of 5 Community !V6 12″ modular speakers each. Feeding these speakers were QSC CXD power amplifiers. The audio processing was done by Q-SYS Core, also by QSC. For live performances, the use of the Allen and Heath SQ 7 mixing console was integrated.

Crestron is being used for control systems. The system is designed to function in two modes: “Easy Mode”, which gives the user control through one of the two 10″ touch panels located in the back of the room, as well as on stage. This mode would be helpful for a lecture, or quick slide-show display for more of a educational setting. The other mode is “Advanced Mode”, which is typically used to live performances and is controlled through the use of the lighting and audio consoles. This allows for a more customizable setup.

The theatrical lighting fixtures were entirely furnished by ETC, all of the Color Source family. These included 20 spots, 30 pars, and 8 cycs.

Lighting is being controlled by Interactive Technologies Cue Server 2 Pro. For live performances, the user has the ability to control the lighting through the ETC Ion xe console.

Both audio and lighting consoles are neatly house in beautiful teak bodied, stainless steel roll top desks, made by HSA.

Architect: Garrison Architects
Theatrical Consultant: Starlite
General Contractor: Dandrea Construction

EQUIPMENT

RIGGING
• Thern Clew winches
• ETC Prodigy Hoist
• Rose Brand Curtains

LIGHTING
• ETC CS Spots
• ETC CS Pars
• ETC CS Cyc
• ETC Ion XE Console
• The Light Source RL120W78-30EJR LED Recessed House Lights

AUDIO
• Allen and Heath SQ7 console
• Community IV6 1122 speakers
• QSC Q-SYS Core 110f DSP
• QSC CXD Power Amplifiers
• Crestron DMPS3-4K-350 Air Media Control Processor

Lighting

ETC CS Spots
ETC CS Pars
ETC CS Cyc
ETC Ion XE Console
The Light Source RL120W78-30EJR LED Recessed House Lights

Audio

Allen and Heath SQ7 Console
Community IV6 1122 Speakers
QSC Q-SYS Core 110f DSP
QSC CXD Power Amplifiers
Crestron DMPS3-4K-350 Air Media Control Processor

Rigging

Thern Clew Winches
ETC Prodigy Hoist
Rose Brand Curtains

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Franklin Hall at the Franklin Institute

Nov 21, 2019

Franklin Hall at the Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute needed to replace their 11 year old failing early-generation LED wash lights and controls; originally installed by Starlite, which lit Franklin Hall for everyday activities, in addition to a looping “architainment” style multimedia show and special events. The new system also needed to improve reliability and ease of adjustment for the Franklin Institute staff.

Starlite provided one-to-one replacements for the original lighting fixtures, new data distribution hardware and two new ways to control the lighting. An ETC Mosaic processor handles day-to-day show and preset playback, while also enabling custom controls that make 95% of the room’s predicted uses available behind a few button presses. For the 5% of events that don’t fit these controls, an ETC Nomad system is utilized for full theatrical-style control of the room. In addition, Starlite worked closely with FI staff to reprogram the centerpiece “Benjamin Franklin Forever” show to take advantage of the improvement of the control system and bring the show back in line with the original design. Concurrent with Starlite’s work, IMS Technology Services replaced the audio and video backbone and provided a new user interface that seamlessly integrates lighting control with the other systems in the room.

Equipment

(32) ETC ColorSource Linear 1 Deep Blue
(8) ETC ColorSource Linear 2 Deep Blue
(12) ETC ColorSource Linear 4 Deep Blue
(1) ETC Mosaic MSC2
(1) ETC Mosaic Remote I/O
(1) ETC Nomad Unlocked
(4) ETC Response Mk2 1-port Wall-mount Gateway
(2) ETC Response Mk2 4-port Rack-mount Gateway
(4) ETC Response Mk2 2-port Wall-mount Gateway
(1) ETC Response Mk2 4-port DIN rail mount Gateway
(1) Cisco SG350X-Switch – 24 x Gigabit Ethernet Network, 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet, POE+
(1) Dell Inspiron 5582 2-in-1 Touchscreen Computer

Starlite’s work on this project was slickly engineered, competitively priced, and installed without a hitch. The whole team were super dedicated and easy to work with. They handled collaboration with our AV vendor, were on-time and on-point. The project manager and programmer handled the work nimbly, and produced a unified lighting system that is beautiful and functional — working equally well in automated daytime operations AND flexibly for after-hours operations in our classically designed National Memorial.

Clifford Greer

Project Technician, The Franklin Institute

The confidence we had in Starlite from previous experiences was a key factor in bringing them back to complete the lighting upgrade.

Mark Harmon

Director of Operations, Safety & Security , The Franklin Institute