Burlington, VT

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

Built in 1930, the Flynn Theater has been at the center of Vermont’s cultural landscape for almost 90 years. The primary goals of this project were to replace the theater’s sixty year-old seats, improve handicapped access, and enhance the theater’s unique charm and ambiance with a new color palette derived from existing motifs.

The new seats are comfortable, quiet, and feature a custom designed cast iron Art Deco end panel. With a slight reduction in total seating most seats have an additional two inches of legroom and meet ADA requirements.

In the lobby, new HD video screens broadcast live performances as well as sponsor messages and coming events. The concession area is re-imagined with new lighting and interiors. Outside, new energy efficient lighting highlights the building’s Art Deco details.

The $1.2 million project was truly a community effort that included numerous volunteers, artists, and gifts from over 400 donors. “It was a terrific reminder,” said the theater’s director, “that this is really the people’s theater.”