The MacKenzie Theatre, located on the ground floor of Swem Library, serves as an instructional and event space primarily supporting library instruction, film screenings, and W&M department-sponsored events, such as lectures, panel discussions and book talks, excluding department meetings and/or trainings.
The 2026 renovation of this theatre was made possible through the generosity of Earle A. MacKenzie ’74, in loving memory of his wife, Glenna Bowman MacKenzie ’74. Glenna enjoyed studying, alongside her future husband Earle, on the second floor of Swem Library. Read more
Space usage policy:
- Reserving the theatre: The theatre may be reserved by William & Mary faculty and staff using the online booking form. Student and non-W&M organization reservations are generally not permitted except for library-partnered events.
- All theatre reservations are moderated and must be approved by library staff. You will receive a booking confirmation email when your event is approved. Please allow 48 business hours for a response to your booking request.
A designated contact person for the booking must be present for the entirety of the event/class.
Food and drink are not permitted in the theatre.
Maximum capacity: 70
The theatre is ADA/handicap accessible and features designated wheelchair spaces.
Film screening for a class: All streaming video services in the library’s collections allow group usage for class and teaching purposes, without the need to purchase performance rights. This includes the use of DVDs for class and teaching purposes.
Other film screenings: There are copyright rules for screenings of films not shown for classes. If the film selected is in our library collection, it may come with performance rights. Otherwise, there may be a cost related to the screening. Costs for performance rights will be billed to the host department. For assistance on obtaining performance rights for a film, please contact your library liaison.
Event receptions: The outdoor patios are available for receptions. For usage policies and to reserve a patio, visit our Patios & Outdoor Tabling page. We cannot provide event space for indoor receptions, as the classrooms are in high demand and are only reservable for library instruction, and the Botetourt Gallery is not ADA/handicap accessible.
Important Reminder: If you need to cancel your event for any reason, you must contact libraryoutreach@wm.edu as soon as possible.
Technology & Capabilities
The MacKenzie Theatre is a fully equipped presentation and screening space designed for lectures, film viewing, performances, panel discussions, and hybrid events.
Audio, Presentation & Screening:
- Six wireless microphone channels are available. Each channel can be configured with either a handheld microphone or a lavalier microphone, allowing support for presenters, panels, moderators, and audience Q&A.
- 4K laser projector with large-format projection screen
- The in-room 4K Blu-ray player supports 7.1 surround-sound playback.
- An integrated room PC is available for presentations and media playback. The room PC does not support presentation files from USB flash drives, so files should be available through cloud storage, email, or another online source before the event.
- HDMI connections are available for presenters who prefer to use their own laptop.
Videoconferencing & Hybrid Events:
The theatre supports Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and similar platforms through a Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM)model.
The individual, department, or organization reserving the theatre is responsible for creating and managing its own meeting using an appropriate account. This includes registration, participant access, screen sharing, chat, remote questions, and other meeting controls.
The theatre's installed cameras, microphones, speakers, and projection system can be connected to the designated meeting computer. This is done via HDMI and USB-C.
For routine BYOM events, a camera operator is not provided. The theatre uses preconfigured camera modes and presets designed for common event formats such as a single presenter, panel discussion, and audience Q&A. Library staff can help select an appropriate configuration before the event, but staff do not normally operate cameras throughout the program.
If you plan to use Zoom, Teams, or another conferencing platform, please contact us in advance to arrange an orientation to the room's hybrid-event setup. Events involving multiple presenters, significant remote participation, or unusual technical requirements may require additional planning and a technical test.
Library staff can help connect the designated computer to the theatre’s installed cameras, microphones, speakers, and projection system. Events involving multiple presenters or significant remote participation may require advance planning, a technical test, and a designated representative from the booking organization to manage the online meeting.
Important notes for multi-presenter events:
- For events with more than one presenter, one computer should host the Zoom or Teams meeting for the duration of the event.
- Presenters should plan to share content through that meeting rather than repeatedly disconnecting and swapping laptops at the lectern.
- For conferences, panels, hybrid events, or programs with multiple presenters, please contact us in advance so we can help determine an appropriate setup
Assisted Listening:
- AuraCast® assisted listening system using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), allowing compatible personal devices (such as smartphones or hearing aids) to connect wirelessly
- Four assisted-listening receivers with headphone support available for use in the room