Causes of project failure and common programing and design problems are discussed, including vague expectations, lack of architectural program detail, unwillingness to understand compromises, misunderstanding economics of audience size, site impact on budget, making a smaller facility less versatile, lobby expenses, late value engineering,…

Outlines the experiences of two private colleges (Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and the University of Dallas, Texas) in their successful conversion of found space in other building types to small theaters for use by the performing arts. (Author/DN)