Clemeth Abercrombie
Lead Design Principal
Clemeth is responsible for promoting design excellence, encouraging innovation, collaboration, and high-quality work across all disciplines at Charcoalblue. In addition to his project work; his responsibilities include knowledge management, facilitating peer reviews, and maintaining design standards across each of our business units. He provides team leadership and consultancy in all aspects of theatre design and acoustics.
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Clemeth’s work spans disciplines ranging from facility planning and technical systems design, to room acoustics design and noise control. He has 18 years’ experience as a consultant with stints at Artec Consultants and Arup serving as a project manager and designer for several of their major international arts venues. He also served as a concert sound engineer, production manager, and stagehand in the central Illinois region.
Clemeth's broad set of interests have led him to an equally broad portfolio of work. He cherishes the unique cultures and circumstances that each project brings and leverages that experience to enhance the next.
His consultancy work with Charcoalblue includes Massey Hall in Toronto, Fayetteville’s TheatreSquared, Broadway’s Hudson Theatre and the Luminato Festival at the Hearn Generating Station in Toronto.
Clem outside the Chicago Studio with John.
Clem presenting at the TheatreSquared Gala.
Clem at the Charcoalblue Christmas Party in 2017.
Clem soundcheck at the Luminato Festival’s ‘Turn On the Hearn’.
Clem working with the Aalborg Symphony as they engage with their new home.
Clem mixing front-of-house at the Congress Theatre, Chicago.
Clem at the ground-breaking ceremony for TheatreSquared.
What's the greatest lesson you've learnt as a Theatre Consultant?
The recipe for a successful project is a strong vision, creative designers, and a collaborative environment.
What first sparked your love of theatre or performing arts?
The first time I was nearly beheaded by a 250lb subwoofer falling off a truck ramp, I said "this is the life for me".
What qualities should a 'great performance space' have?
A great venue is a direct reflection of the artists who make it their home and challenges them to break new ground.
If you could recommend visitors to Chicago take in one sight, what would it be?
A view of the skyline from the ‘L’ on your way to one of the city’s great storefront theatres.
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Our job was to recreate the aura of the Hudson when it opened on day one, only brought right up to date
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