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Theatre Design / Architectural Lighting / AV Technology

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, originally the Emery Theatre, was built in 1911 for the Ohio Mechanics Institute and is a historically significant, acoustically renowned performance venue. Designed using John Scott Russell’s pioneering “isacoustic curve” principles and developed for the Cincinnati Symphony, it was among the first U.S. concert hall to fully embrace electric lighting, with hundreds of incandescent bulbs illuminating every surface.

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The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

View from the stage toward the auditorium at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, showcasing restored architecture, upgraded house lighting, and immersive audience design.

2025

Historic 1912 image of the Emery Theatre in Cincinnati, originally built for the Ohio Mechanics Institute and known for its pioneering acoustic and electric lighting design.

1912

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Description

Integrated, yet hidden, video projectors transform the two dimensionally curved arch into a vibrant video screen used to enhance the interior view for the audience.

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Description

The A-lamps outlining the balcony fronts, ceiling coffers and proscenium arch were retrofitted with “historic” LED A-lamps, and new decorative collars were 3D printed for each A-lamp holder.

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Description

Contemporary interventions include the Orchestra Level raised by two feet to improve sightlines and downlights added in the ceiling coffers and under the balcony.

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Description

View to the stage from the Level 2 - Dress Circle/Balcony featuring video mapping on the proscenium arch and historic, renovated light fixtures.

Project Details

Location

Cincinnati, Ohio

Discipline

Theatre/Performance Environments / Architectural Lighting / AV Technology

Size

1,585 Seats

Partners

GBBN Architects (Architect) / Terrex Development & Construction (CM/GC) / Kirkegaard (Acoustics)

Photo Credit

© Phil Armstrong / © Ryan Kurtz

Services

Pre-Architectural Facility Planning / Facility Programming / Theatre Design / Theatrical Lighting System / Theatrical Rigging System / Theatrical Automation Controls / Machinery Design / Audio and Video Systems / Video Projection Systems Design / Architectural Lighting