Designed in 1935 by Benjamin Schlanger—the same person who designed Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House—The Waldo Theatre was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1986. After a number of attempted revivals, in 2016, area residents banded together to plot a new course for the theater, which opened anew in 2021.
During the Theatre’s early history, the Motion Picture Association of America described it as one of the best-designed small theaters in the nation. SMS helped bring modern sound and video to a space characterized by an Art Deco interior and Greek Revival facade.
During construction, the Theatre was outfitted with the same audio and projection system as New York’s Radio City Music Hall. The original audio system was designed for full on concerts, as well as theater and film productions. SMS made it easy for hosts to control their venerable system with presets on a touchscreen that automate processes for simple events like film screenings, and powered a separate audio system with separate console for the kind of control needed for professional-quality live music.
When the Waldo Theatre opened its doors in 1936, the first film to play was Pennies from Heaven, a screening that set patrons back a whopping 35 cents per ticket. Today, thanks to SMS, the theater is equipped with modern, multi camera streaming, enabling high production value virtual events—and the ability to monetize virtual ticket sales.
Whether you know just the kind of system you’re looking for or need some help figuring it out, we’re here to help. Get in touch, and we’ll set up a preliminary call to discuss your thoughts and strategize a path forward.
