The $13.8-million facelift to Oklahoma City’s Freede Little Theater at the Civic Center Music Hall transformed the 1930s performing arts venue into a new jewel.

Much of the aging structure hadn’t been touched since it opened during the Great Depression. Its original rigging system dated to the 1930s, and the space lacked the infrastructure to host modern-day events or performances. Today, the entire theater has been restored and remodeled, including a recreation of the historic ceiling.

There’s a new two-story addition housing dressing rooms, a box office, five bars and a commercial kitchen.

A new balcony and tech booth were erected to support the new design, which lowered the existing balcony by 4 ft, Flintco said.

The theater’s original rigging system was approaching the century mark. “Flintco upgraded curtains, motors, the truss in front of the stage for all lighting and infrastructure to house it,” the company said. “The upgrades match what is in the large primary theater. Additionally, we built a catwalk in an adjacent area to make the above-ceiling space usable, as it houses the mechanical and electrical penthouse.”

While construction was underway, the building remained open and fully operational, Flintco said, adding that the venue houses hundreds of shows and events annually.

Working on a facility that is nearly 100 years old, the structure’s historic nature only added to the project’s complexity.