The Oakdale Theatre opened in 1957 with 1,200 seats under a tent in the middle of an alfalfa field, and steadily expanded. In 1972 it replaced its tent with a wooden dome that accommodated 3,000 seats "in the round." Now Oakdale has transformed itself again to become a year-round 5,000-seat performing arts center.

The new facility was designed to embrace Oakdale's "summerfair/summer festival atmosphere" and to embody its history and evolution. The $20 million project included the design of a new theater, with the old "dome" becoming its lobby, a 5,000 square foot stagehouse with orchestra pit and trap room, backstage support including performers and crew accommodations, a loading dock and scenery handling area, public spaces, restrooms, and extensive indoor and outdoor concessions.

The project changed the facility from a theater-in-the-round to an end-stage, amphitheater arrangement. Because of the management’s desire to shut down operations for as short a time as possible, the project was completed under a very aggressive time schedule. Ground-breaking took place in late 1995 and the new 120,000 s.f. facility was completed by mid-summer 1996. Oakdale now hosts major touring productions and Broadway blockbusters, in addition to its current mix of contemporary, pop, R&B, country and comedy talent.

Scott Wilson, AIA and Scott Butler, AIA were Principal-in-Charge/Project Manager and Project Architect respectively, while with Rothman Partners, Inc.

Project Info
Cost: $20,000,000
Complete: 1996
Client: Oakdale Theatre
Staff: Scott Wilson, AIA; Scott Butler, AIA; while with Rothman Partners, Inc.