The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is a state-of-the-art facility with six performance venues that support more than 1,200 events annually. Home to the School of Music, School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, and The Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, The Clarice fosters creativity, education and performance. As a hub for artistic innovation, projection plays a vital role in its events, productions, educational programs and communal spaces.

With each event requiring different technical specifications, The Clarice needed a versatile projection solution that could meet the diverse demands of its venues. Epson’s lineup of interchangeable lens laser projectors has proven essential in delivering high-quality visual experiences while offering flexibility and efficiency.

A Versatile Projection Solution

“Our team handles all the tech in-house, and I’m a big fan of Epson’s versatile lineup and wide range of lens options,” said Zach Rupp, projections coordinator at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. “Every project has its own unique scope, and being able to use the same projectors with interchangeable lenses has been crucial. The ability to completely transform a production with a simple lens swap has been invaluable as we manage so many different venues and events.”

Epson projectors have been used in various ways across the center’s productions. From illuminating opera performances with projected subtitles to providing immersive media design education for students, the technology has adapted to multiple applications. For NextNOW Fest 2024, a major annual arts festival, The Clarice deployed 16 Epson projectors to transform its lobby into a visually immersive experience.

NextNOW Fest: A Projection Showcase

Celebrating imagination, creativity and community, NextNOW Fest is a signature event in the University of Maryland’s Arts for All initiative. For the 2024 festival, Rupp and his team used 14 Epson large-venue laser projectors to project content onto nearly 2,000 square feet of space in the center’s Grand Pavilion, the central hub for its six performance venues.

By covering nearly every surface in the multi-level lobby, the team transformed the space with abstract free-flowing visuals, marketing content and a live camera feed, creating an immersive environment for guests.

“The entryway blew attendees away right from the start,” Rupp said. “It truly set the stage for what to expect at the rest of the festival.”

Using Epson’s built-in curved surface mapping tools, blending and stacking techniques, and third-party software such as WATCHOUT 6, the team was able to execute a seamless visual display. The projectors were networked for remote access, providing a set-and-forget solution. Some units were stacked using Epson’s projector stacking frame, which increased brightness and redundancy, ensuring a smooth and reliable installation.

Interchangeable Lenses for Adaptability

Beyond festival productions, The Clarice benefits from Epson’s single-lens family, which supports a range of projectors from 6,000 to 20,000 lumens with ultra-short-throw to long-throw capabilities. Epson also collaborates with rental and staging companies such as 4Wall, allowing The Clarice to supplement its projector inventory as needed.

“4Wall has been a fantastic partner for Epson rentals, allowing us to own what we need and supplement our collection with rentals,” said Jeff Reckeweg, technology shop manager at The Clarice. “Owning and renting within the Epson projector and interchangeable lens ecosystem has been both convenient and cost-effective.”

Epson’s Commitment to Innovation

Epson’s projectors deliver exceptional color output, durability and installation flexibility for performance venues, educational institutions and event spaces.

“At Epson, we prioritize outstanding image quality and reliability while offering tools that make projector installations easier,” said Ramzi Shakra, senior product manager at Epson America, Inc. “The feedback we receive from end users plays a crucial role in shaping our product development. It’s great to see The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center taking full advantage of Epson’s flexible lineup and versatile lens options.”

About The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Located at the University of Maryland, College Park, The Clarice is a state-of-the-art performing arts center that serves as home to the UMD School of Music, School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, and Clarice Presents, the center’s platform for visiting artists. Since its founding nearly 25 years ago, The Clarice has supported artistic innovation through community engagement, applied scholarship and creative exploration.

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader focused on creating efficient, compact and precise innovations that enrich lives. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing environmental impact, with a goal to become carbon negative by 2050. Epson’s solutions span printing, manufacturing, visual technology and lifestyle innovations, helping businesses and institutions enhance efficiency and creativity.