Project Snapshot
Modernizing audio and lighting at The Oaks Academy with a professional production system designed to improve sound quality, stage visibility, reliability, and flexibility for performances and school events.
ORGANIZATION
The Oaks Academy
LOCATION
Indianapolis, Indiana
MARKET
Education
SOLUTIONS
Professional Audio Systems, Stage Lighting, Q-SYS Control, Wireless Audio, Digital Mixing, Lighting Control, Production Infrastructure
About the Organization
The Oaks Academy is a Christ-centered school serving students from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds through a classical education. With four locations in downtown Indianapolis, the school provides early education, lower school, and middle school programs within a community focused on academic excellence and helping students feel known and valued.
Throughout the school year, performances, presentations, and other gatherings bring students, families, faculty, and the broader school community together, making dependable audio and lighting an important part of the experience.
![AdobeStock_374833232 [Converted]_edited_edited_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7ae4db_a77fa7c0ccc04f74bd48318549c8eb5d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1504,h_492,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/7ae4db_a77fa7c0ccc04f74bd48318549c8eb5d~mv2.jpg)
Project Overview & Goals
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Improve sound quality and speech intelligibility
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Eliminate dark spots across the stage
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Replace aging and unreliable equipment
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Create a more professional production experience
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Simplify everyday system operation
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Provide flexibility for performances and future needs
Project Goals Include:
The Oaks Academy wanted to take the audio and lighting capabilities within its performance space to the next level. Aging and unreliable equipment had begun to affect the experience, with poor sound quality, speech intelligibility issues, and dark spots in the stage lighting. The existing systems also offered limited scalability as the school's production needs continued to evolve.
Force Tech designed and installed a new production system centered around professional audio, flexible stage lighting, and simplified control. The audio system features Martin Audio CDD15 loudspeakers and SX212 subwoofers, supported by Q8-B front fills to provide additional coverage near the stage. A Yamaha TF1 digital console and Tio1608-D2 provide mixing and stage connectivity, while Q-SYS processing and touchscreen control simplify system operation.
The stage lighting system was also completely updated with new lighting positions and Chauvet Professional Ovation fixtures for front and stage wash lighting. ChamSys and CueServer control provide greater flexibility for productions while allowing simplified control of the house and stage lighting when a full console operator is not needed.
BRINGING PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION INTO AN EXISTING SPACE
Modernizing an older building required the Force Tech team to work carefully within the existing architecture while introducing an entirely new level of production technology.
Thick plaster, metal mesh, existing electrical infrastructure, and challenging mounting conditions required the team to adapt throughout installation. Custom solutions were developed in the field for the new lighting positions and subwoofer mounting while Force Tech coordinated with the project's electrician to accommodate the new power and lighting control infrastructure.
Much of the system was built, configured, labeled, and tested in the Force Tech shop before arriving on site. Once installed, the team completed final programming, wireless coordination, lighting adjustments, and system commissioning to bring the different technologies together into one cohesive production environment.
The result is a system that delivers the professional experience The Oaks Academy was looking for while remaining approachable for the people who use it.
Results
The completed system provides The Oaks Academy with clearer, more intelligible audio and consistent lighting across the stage. New professional loudspeakers, subwoofers, front fills, wireless systems, digital mixing, and stage monitoring provide a significant upgrade in both performance and reliability.
The new lighting system provides more complete coverage and greater creative flexibility for performances and events, while integrated control makes the technology easier to manage for everyday use.
Most importantly, The Oaks Academy now has a more dependable and scalable production environment that can better support its students, faculty, and school community. Despite the challenges presented by the existing building, Force Tech successfully delivered the completed system, and the school has been extremely pleased with the result.
Project
Partners
Force Tech would like to thank The Oaks Academy, Chief Operating Officer Mike Temm, and the entire school team for the opportunity to help bring this project to life.
Upgrading technology within an existing facility often requires more than simply replacing equipment. It takes careful planning and a team willing to adapt as challenges arise. We are proud to have helped The Oaks Academy create a more professional production environment that can support performances, presentations, and school events for years to come.
Planning an audio, lighting, or production technology upgrade for your school? Contact Force Tech to learn how our team can help transform an existing space with technology designed around the way you use it.
