Midland Theatre
Newark, Ohio
Project Type: Historic Restoration
Seat Count: 1400
Original Construction: 1928
Opening: 2009
Construction Cost: $8.5 Million
Architect: NBBJ
AD Scope: Acoustics, Audio, Video, Lighting
In 1992, Dave Longaberger and the Longaberger Company purchased The Midland. As a tribute to Mr. Longaberger’s vision, the company undertook an eight year, $8.5 million renovation and restoration of the theatre in anticipation of giving the theatre to the Newark Midland Theatre Association to operate for the local community. As a community theatre, it will is used to support a broad range of programming for every age level, every musical taste, drama and comedy, film and live presentations.
Because the renovation was essentially a historic restoration, there were limited opportunities to change the room’s natural acoustics. Our work focused on sound isolation of outside noise as well as isolation between the theatre and adjacent spaces within the building. We also collaborated with the mechanical engineers to introduce air conditioning into the theatre with minimal cost, as well as minimal noise impact.
