$400,000 Sound System Upgrade Takes Place at New Orleans Civic Theatre

New Orleans' Civic Theatre Stage View

Reintroduced in the fall of 2013 as a modern concert hall, New Orleans’ Civic Theatre finished it’s final renovation with a recently completed $400,000 acoustical upgrade. The Civic Theatre, said to be New Orleans’ oldest theater, hosts concerts, plays, corporate events, and private parties and has an assortment of shows booked throughout the remainder of the year, including some of music‘s most popular acts–Brand New, Neon Trees, Justin Townes Earl–and star comedian Chris D’Elia. After a three-year multi-million dollar renovation was completed last year, every element of the Civic Theatre was revamped–except for its sound system.

The venue’s high and scalloped ceiling, stacked balconies, and shallow depth was not very adaptable to modern amplified performances. After numerous sound quality complaints from performers and audience members, the century-old theater’s sound system and sonic layout received a $400,000 overhaul. After consulting with three acoustical engineers, the theater installed custom-designed acoustical absorption panels and upgraded its in-house L-Acoustics P.A. system, all while retaining the theater’s original aesthetic integrity–the panels were disguised with a fabric matching the color of the room, while the stacks of ceiling speakers were custom-ordered to match the white interior. The notably improved sound system made its debut at an Afghan Whigs concert in September.

Built in 1906, the Civic Theatre is the oldest theater in New Orleans. After standing empty in a cluster of business district buildings for more than two decades, the theater underwent meticulous renovations in an attempt to restore it to its former glory. Renovations included preserving the beaux arts plasterwork from the original Schubert Theatre in 1909, installing a hanging chandelier, and restructuring much of the building to accommodate full spectrum LED lighting and modern sound and stage technology. The flooring at the front of the restored stage is even constructed with numerous movable panels, allowing the theatre space to transform and adapt to the night’s particular event. A large chunk of the original seating was also removed to make room for modern bar spaces, featuring specialty cocktails crafted by mixologist Neal Bodenheimer. Visit civicnola.com for more information.

New Orleans' Civic Theatre Balcony View

Photos by noladefender.com & livedesignonline.com 

Written by Derrick Krom

Derrick is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia where he received a B.A. in English and Communication Studies. Throughout his life, Derrick has traveled the country and even got to study abroad in London, England for four amazing months. He's a guitar player, avid music fan and lover of literature, film, and all things entertainment.