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by PORT on Sep 11, 2026, 9:08:19 AM
Transforming a former racetrack into a concert-ready outdoor venue required expertise across lighting, production, rigging, design, and installation. PORT Lighting partnered with The Brook, trusted industry partners, and teams from across PORT to design, coordinate, and install a professional outdoor stage and lighting system on a condensed schedule. From early planning and fixture selection to structural design, programming, and installation, the project demonstrates what’s possible when specialized teams work together toward a shared vision.
Project Overview and Venue Scope
The Brook is a popular casino located in Seabrook, NH. The property, back in the day, was used for dog racing and betting until 2009, when the practice was outlawed. The abandoned property was bought up by Eureka Casinos in 2019 and turned into its current 90,000-square-foot entertainment center. Since its opening, The Brook has been constantly growing and expanding.
This summer, The Brook went in an entirely new direction and decided to open an outdoor venue for a variety of concerts and other events.
When PORT Lighting was brought in to assist with the project, it quickly became clear that bringing The Brook's vision to life would require expertise from multiple disciplines. PORT's VP of Architectural and Theatrical Lighting, Ron Kuszmar, began with an on-site walkthrough to understand the physical requirements of the space as well as the client's creative vision and goals.
Planning, Coordination, and Flexibility
Initial conversations between The Brook and PORT began in late February and early March as The Brook evaluated options for the new venue. By early May, the project was ready to move forward, with the first performance scheduled approximately one month later. The condensed schedule made close coordination especially important, requiring PORT's internal teams, The Brook, and project partners to work together efficiently as the venue took shape.
The team was presented with a challenge as there was no existing infrastructure at the location where the stage was going to be built. Because of this, the project required close coordination between PORT, The Brook, their electricians, and other project partners. Everything from the stage structure to power and lighting had to be considered as part of a complete venue solution. Power distribution included a Motion Labs 24-circuit, 200-amp portable distribution panel, along with Lex Products Bento Boxes positioned around the stage to provide convenient power for bands and additional lighting elements.
As The Brook developed its first large outdoor event venue, PORT was able to serve as more than a lighting provider. Drawing on experience across systems integration, event production, design, and installation, the team helped coordinate the different pieces required to bring the venue together. PORT also connected The Brook with trusted industry partners whose expertise could support the project, creating a collaborative team around the client's vision.
Lighting Fixture Selection and Setup
With the first performance approaching, the team needed to develop a lighting package that balanced performance, budget, venue requirements, and product availability. PORT worked closely with Elation to evaluate fixture options that would deliver the desired result within the parameters of the project.
The first choice the team came up with was the Rebel series. The capabilities of the fixtures and their performance for cost were the main reasons for this choice. They would fit the needs for the size of venue (the roof is 40 x 40, and the roof is 22 ft up). High-power fixtures weren't necessary to make a powerful impact.
When the Rebel Dartz were unavailable, Elation recommended the Proteus Radius. After careful evaluation and multiple discussions between PORT and Elation, the team determined that the Radius would be an excellent fit for the design. Its 100W Solid-State Phosphor-Converted (SSPC) light engine delivered the powerful, clean output the venue required, while the prism provided additional flexibility for widening the beam when needed. With multiple fixtures incorporated throughout the design, the Radius helped create a dynamic and impactful overall look.
In total, there are 20 wash fixtures, 18 spot fixtures, and 20 beam fixtures. Around the perimeter of the stage are 24 LED PAR fixtures. Their main purpose is to provide side lighting, allowing the moving lights to stay focused on creating effects while still keeping the stage well lit. They're also useful for smaller performances that don't require the full moving light package and simply need basic stage illumination. Since there are no dedicated work lights on the stage, these fixtures also serve as work lights by switching to white at the end of the night so the crew can safely clear the stage.
An ETC/High End Systems Hog 5 Tour Hog was selected as the lighting console, with Pathway Connectivity switches and DMX data distribution supporting the show network. Pathway VIA switches were configured in a ring topology, helping maintain network communication in the event of a damaged or failed line.
A previsualization file was created so lighting designers and programmers could prepare their shows in advance at PORT's shop before arriving on site, saving valuable setup time. The team also managed the scheduling of those programmers and coordinated any band-specific lighting changes, such as adding or removing fixtures. They ensured the necessary labor was scheduled and that the lighting rig continued to operate properly despite those modifications. This advance preparation became another important point of collaboration between PORT's production team, programmers, and visiting artists, helping each show integrate smoothly with the venue's lighting system.
Collaboration and Execution
This project would not have been possible without immense collaboration and teamwork. At PORT, our systems team handles architectural and theatrical lighting installations, while our production team handles events. As this project required stage design, rigging, and event lighting, both teams were needed, which is what ultimately made the project successful. The systems team helped lead the client relationship, project planning, sales, and contracting, while the production team brought its expertise in temporary event lighting, stage design, rigging coordination, and 3D visualization. Both teams then worked together during installation to translate the design into a functioning outdoor venue.
The Brook outdoor stage would also not have been possible without the help of other valuable vendors. PORT brought in United Staging and Rigging as a trusted project partner to provide specialized rigging expertise and develop the support structure required for the stage and lighting system. Their collaboration with PORT's teams was an important part of turning the overall design into a safe, functional venue. CBI also supported the project by providing the portable power and distribution cabling required for the stage, including custom-length rugged Cat6 cables and custom DMX snakes.
Elation also played an important role as a trusted lighting partner. PORT worked directly with the Elation team to evaluate fixture options based on the venue's design goals, performance requirements, and product availability. That existing relationship allowed both teams to quickly evaluate alternatives and identify fixtures that would deliver the desired result for The Brook.
Venue Feedback and Future Outlook
The response from the venue has been overwhelmingly positive. The finished installation exceeded their expectations, demonstrating what the combined expertise of The Brook, PORT's internal teams, and trusted project partners was able to accomplish.. They have been particularly impressed by the quality, performance, and output of the lighting fixtures. The first touring acts to use the system were equally enthusiastic. The investment has given The Brook a flexible, high-quality outdoor entertainment space capable of supporting a variety of performances, while also creating a strong foundation for how the venue could continue to evolve in the future.
Why PORT?
At PORT, we believe in going beyond being just a lighting provider to ensure your project, event, or otherwise is perfect. We're happy to call in any of our partners or work with yours to ensure success. We are experts in both temporary and permanent structures. Ready to bring your "what if" to life? Contact PORT today.
- Lighting Production Services
- Technical Production Management
- Production Design
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