Arena Stage Theater

Project Overview

Cleveland Construction, Inc. was contracted as the interior and exterior subcontractor for the renovation and expansion of the Arena Stage in Washington, DC.

Cleveland Construction’s scope of work consisted of complete Level 5 interior renovations of two existing theaters - the Fichandler, the Kreeger. Interior work performed by CCI included new installation of gypsum wall panels, structural framing, GFRG sound reflectors, a resilient flooring system, acoustical ceilings, insulation of all walls and ceilings, and venetian plaster finish. 

A new, more intimate theater, the Kogod Cradle, was also constructed next to the existing theaters. Cleveland Construction performed the same interior installations on this new theater as on the existing spaces, but also installed a custom interior wave wall built using 40’ 2x12 framing and poplar wood slats to create the waves. Wall was built on a four degree angle.

All three spaces were then enclosed in a transparent glass curtain wall. Cleveland Construction installed the exterior structural framing and a 30,000 SF serpentine radial soffit around the top of the curtain wall that forms a wave-like motion. Cleveland Construction then applied the soffit with a direct to plaster finish. Inside, a custom wood ceiling was built over the existing theaters with poplar wood slats attached to black acoustical ceiling grid.

The project was completed in June 2010. Cleveland Construction won Craftsmanship Awards for its drywall finishes and structural steel framing from the Washington Building Congress on this project.