Neumann University Gala

Event Staging

Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania, was founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Neumann is a private, Catholic, co-educational University in the Franciscan tradition, which emphasizes respect for individuals, concern for the environment, and social responsibility.

The Situation

Neumann University is celebrating their 50th year and decided for the first time to have their annual Gala on the grounds of the University in The Mirenda Center, their gymnasium.

Client Needs

Neumann University needed a partner(s) who could assist them with video content, lighting, and staging to transform their gymnasium into a grand and upscale venue for their 50th Anniversary Gala. This partner would need to assist them in planning and executing a unique and grandiose experience for over 500 people in addition to producing a musical performance for the world-renown vocal trio group, The Priests. Their challenge was that they had never embarked on any event of this magnitude on their campus so they needed professionals in event staging and décor to assist in this undertaking.

IMS Solution

IMS partnered with On Q Productions to design a concept which transformed the gym into an immersive venue of celebration and remembrance. The concept included projection mapping on multiple surfaces, a 3-sided truss structure hung from the ceiling to support audio and lighting as well as a concert stage for The Priests and award ceremony. On Q Productions constructed a magnificent 2-level chandelier, which hung in the center of the gym to be used as video screens on three sides for the camera shots as well as historical photo content during walk-in. They also draped the two sides of the gymnasium with a semi-transparent off-white material and then used moving lights to create a festive ambiance in the gym. IMS also was also given access to Neumann’s vast archived photo library to create an animated 50-year video timeline which was projected across the massive ceiling arc above the stage.

Results

The dream of the Alumni Director who was spearheading this event was to have a completely unique event that would create such a sense of pride among Neumann alumni and friends to cause them to spread the news virally to all their contacts. IMS was successful in allowing her to achieve her dream as this event had more social media appeal than any other in the 50-year history of Neumann University.