The abandoned theatre was originally designed by Robert Moses in the 1930s. Joseph Papp used it in the 1950s as the first home for the famous New York Shakespeare Festival, which is now based in Central Park. By the 1970s, the theatre itself had fallen into disrepair and neglect, blocked off by chain link fence and covered in graffiti.
Acoustic Dimensions donated its services to consult with HLW Architects on the renovation of the theatre. The new design involved the removal of the dilapidated stage house, leaving the band shell open to a view of the East River, whilst a series of cables and canopies reshaped the structure. Acoustic Dimensions consulted on the acoustics for the band shell and on the design of the cabling structure to eliminate vibration and whistling from the wind. Now completed, the theatre is open to the public.
