Saenger Theatre

Originally opened in 1927, the Saenger Theatre provided many years of theatre, film, and music in New Orleans. A prior renovation in 1978 updated the historic, atmospheric theatre. Hurricane Katrina devastated this theatre in 2005, rendering the building damaged and idle for many years.

A major restoration resulted, increasing the versatility and functioning of the venue with an expanded stage house, all new building and performance systems, and restoration of numerous historic finishes. Schuler Shook provided Theatre Planning and Architectural Lighting Design services for this $52 million project.

The lighting design included refurbishing historic fixtures with updated wiring and circuits for optimal control and replicating missing fixtures with energy efficient and easy to maintain solutions. 

The proscenium arch incorporates low-wattage LED colour-changing fixtures integrated into the architecture to highlight specific elements. The cove light was replaced with RGB LED to allow added ambiance and low maintenance. The backstage renovation included energy efficient LED and fluorescent fixtures controlled by an integrated system that addresses stage, house and work lighting. 

The ​“sky” ceiling of the house was illuminated with blue LED linear strips and wash lights replacing hundreds of incandescent a‑lamps. A second layer of ceiling illumination includes projected clouds that gently move across the ​“sky.” The New Orleans star constellations are recessed into the ceiling with end lit fibers of differing diameters to provide brighter and receding stars, with some slowly twinkling. RGB LED fixtures provide the ability for dynamic sunsets and building highlights against the night sky. 

Historic photos revealed missing chandeliers. Fortunately, some of the original chandeliers were found and acquired at a local antique shop through additional funding.

Three of the four arcade crystal chandeliers were missing. The fixtures were replicated, connected to winches to allow easy relamping, and modified to include uplights in an upper canopy to illuminate the decorative ceiling and provide concealed increased illumination.

After 8 long years, the Saenger re-opened in September 2013. Known as ​“The Crown Jewel of Canal Street,” the venue once again thrives with Broadway productions, top rated musical guests and entertainers.