Hilbert Circle Theatre
The Hilbert Circle Theatre houses the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and serves as a historic landmark in downtown Indianapolis. The theatre has been home to the symphony since 1982 and was originally constructed in 1916.
Today, the symphony regularly performs in the 1,660-seat auditorium, where visitors are enchanted by renditions of classics like Beethoven and more modern pieces, including music from the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
“The symphony runs the Hilbert Circle Theatre and performs out of there most weeks throughout the year,” said ISO Director of Venue Operations Marcus Mizelle.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is the state’s largest nonprofit performing arts organization and strives to raise awareness and provide education about musical programs for all ages and audiences.
The theatre is also listed as a protected property by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission for its remarkable neoclassical architecture and its historic significance as one of the city’s oldest theatres.
The Challenge
Although the theatre underwent a $1 million renovation in 2013, some ageing systems on the property still needed replacement. As part of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s initiative to improve downtown safety, the symphony conducted its own assessment of its existing security systems.
“We still saw issues that needed to be addressed more significantly and more substantially,” said Mizelle. “One gap that we noticed was not having enough camera systems around the property.”
As the project progressed, Mizelle said they also wanted to integrate their camera system with IMPD’s b-link system, which allows property managers to register their cameras and provide livestream access to IMPD’s Real Time Data Center.
Zach Odle, a Technology Solutions Specialist with Tech Electronics, said there were several challenges in implementing a new camera system that would meet the needs of both the theatre and IMPD.
Odle and Tech needed to find a solution that would integrate analog cameras still in use at the theatre with newer IP models, and connect to b-link so the IMPD could access the footage.
Odle said another issue that needed to be addressed was surveillance over the alley entrance to the theatre next to the parking garage. Prior to the project, the theatre had no working cameras in the alley, and the entrance was a security concern.
The Solution
Tech replaced the defunct cameras in the alley and upgraded several other exterior cameras to Hanwha IP cameras. The new system allowed the operational analog cameras inside the building to remain in use and integrated the exterior with b-link.
According to Odle, Hanwha IP cameras were used because they integrate efficiently with the existing analog system through their proprietary Pentabrid system. The Pentabrid DVR system allows users to take full advantage of legacy CCTV infrastructure without compromising the convenience and reliability of modern IP video.
“After that, the conversation was we want to be able to federate with IMPD, who was on Genetec,” said Odle. “So we let them know with the new cameras they purchased that it was a possibility through Cloudlink.”
Odle credited Genetec with helping establish the Cloudlink connection for the IMPD, giving the department unfettered access to the theatre’s exterior cameras.
“We’ve already received great feedback about the responsiveness that they’re able to have and the access there,” said Mizelle.
He also commended Tech’s experts for designing and installing the system, saying it was “seamless.” He was pleased with their performance despite the restrictions imposed by the structure’s historical status.
“That comes with a lot of constraints about what systems can be affixed to the exterior, how they can be affixed in very specific locations, and how we run wire and electrics,” said Mizelle. “And they did a great job navigating that barrier.”
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