Studio C Beta Prototype
Full view of the first prototype installed at Athens, GA (2011)
The Studio C Beta Prototype is a stage that was installed in Chuck E. Cheese's locations from 2000-2001. This prototype is now extinct, the final one being removed on October 18, 2022.
History
In 2000 Corman & Associates created a new stage per request of CEC to lessen the cost of shows per location. Three were installed in unique styled locations through-out the year 2000 and the last one following in 2001. The first one to be removed was Clarksville, TN in 2019, followed by Brownsville, TX shortly after. Shortly after the 2020 pandemic Tyler, TX would be removed in 2021 as CEC returned to normal operations. The two remaining shows, Athens, GA and Midland, TX, would be removed in 2022--making this prototype extinct.
Nomenclature
Due to the far departure from the general concept of the stage developed afterward and the fact that was allegedly developed for "Small Town" stores, if should be reasonably inferred that this is not a prototype for the Studio 'C' show that began installation in 2000.
Building plans identify this stage show as "Small Town Studio C".[1]
Design
In general this stage consisted of a condensed version of the Studio C concept, getting rid of the late-night concept and most of the interactive elements. The blue screen received a redesign to better fit into a wall as this is the first Studio C variant to not have a area leading behind the main stage. Chuck E.'s stage has also received a redesign, reducing the late night set into a Jukebox-like fixture behind Chuck E. and Bird. Finally, a monitor was to the left of the Chuck E. animatronic, still containing the same general lighting from it's previous iteration [2].
The next locations received modified variants of this concept, with Tyler, TX and Clarksville, TN receiving a nearly identical stage, however the monitor was changed to be on a gray box with just three solid lights. As with Brownsville and Midland, TX--they never had a main monitor to begin with.
Animatronics Used
Installed Studio C Prototypes
| Location | Condition / Notes | Opening |
|---|---|---|
| Athens, GA (3654-I Atlanta Hwy) | Removed February 2022 | April 10, 2000 |
| Brownsville, TX (2800 N Expressway) | Removed October 2019 | July 17, 2000 |
| Tyler, TX (736 West SW Loop 323) | Removed in the Fall of 2021 | July 24, 2000 |
| Midland, TX (4703 W Loop 250) | Removed October 18, 2022 | October 2, 2000 |
| Clarksville, TN (2821 B Wilma Rudolph Blvd) | Removed in 2019 | February 22, 2001 |
