Ohio Theatre
Columbus, Ohio

Seat Count: 2,779
Project Type: Renovation
Original Construction: 1928
Opening: 1994
Client: Columbus Association of Performing
Arts (CAPA)
AD Scope: Audio Design and Acoustics
Recommendations

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The Ohio Theatre, a 2,779-seat Spanish-Baroque masterpiece, was originally created to show movies and live stage shows touring on the Loews circuit. During the heyday of vaudeville, many top performers crossed the Ohio's stage. Time took its toll, and the decades deteriorated the structure and beauty of the Ohio Theatre. The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) was formed in 1969 to save the historic landmark. CAPA still owns and runs the theatre as a multi-use facility to support both a wide range of touring productions, as well as the local symphony.

AD developed a unique audio systems design that provides uniform coverage to the main floor, balcony, and under-balcony space from one center cluster location. This was mandated to maintain the stunning visual aesthetics of the theatre's interior.

AD also developed recommendations for upgrades to the original acoustical shell to address the desires, expressed by the symphony, for improved acoustics during concerts. We are also working with CAPA to explore opportunities for reduced HVAC noise levels.

AD was involved with the recent stage expansion project, needed to better facilitate the large scale touring productions, not anticipated in the theatre's original design.