Wagner provided subtle, historically sensitive lighting for the Oriental Theatre as part of its restoration. The project called for preserving the charm of the venue’s original brass railings while enhancing visibility, comfort and safety. With extensive expertise in architectural railings, Wagner was well-positioned to deliver thoughtful, modern illumination to this cultural landmark.
Since its grand opening in 1927, the Oriental Theatre has remained a cinematic treasure and cultural icon in Milwaukee. Today, it serves as the heart of the Milwaukee Film Festival, hosting independent films and year-round community events.
While its architectural character remained intact, the theatre required modern amenities to meet the expectations of today’s audiences. The Oriental Theatre envisioned a restoration to enhance the visitor experience while preserving the venue’s historic charm.
A central part of this effort focused on railings and aisle lighting throughout the upper balcony and cross aisles. Wagner collaborated with local fabricator Badger Railing to carefully dismantle and recreate the original ball-style brass railings. The illuminated railing assemblies blend seamlessly with the historic aesthetic while meeting modern lighting performance needs.
Wagner developed a custom suite of illuminated handrail and footrail solutions featuring three signature luminaires: Bantam™, Lumenpod® 16 and Lumenpod® 28. To support wayfinding, the team fabricated custom brass Bantams to function as low-mounted path lights along the restored handrails. These forward-throw fixtures, cut from solid brass bar stock, provide subtle guidance at the landings of each upper balcony stairwell. To match the restored brass posts and achieve an authentic appearance, the team left the Bantams raw and uncoated.
To improve visibility along the balcony cross-aisle, Wagner integrated Lumenpod 16s into new six-inch-tall matte black footrails with a 35-degree rotation. This rotation aligned the light distribution with the desired optical output. This approach also preserved the traditional ball-style brass railing design.
For the theatre's entry and exit ramps, Wagner engineered helical stainless-steel handrails, powder-coated in satin brass to complement the original railings. These railings integrate Lumenpod 28 luminaires, providing continuous guidance along the path.
Wagner also worked directly with the theatre’s team to integrate all new lighting into their existing custom control system. This setup allows seamless programming and easy scene changes for performance needs.
The completed railing installations strike a balance of form and function. The updated railings and integrated luminaires preserve the theatre’s historic ambiance while significantly improving safety and navigation. Thoughtfully placed path lighting and coordinated fixture controls now guide guests through the space with ease, even in low-light conditions. During performances, the luminaires stay discreetly hidden and provide clarity precisely where it’s needed.
At the Oriental Theatre, lighting is more than a utility. It acts as an architectural element that enhances the ambiance of this movie palace. In a space shaped by storytelling and artistry, lighting had to play a similar role.
Wagner offers a variety of painted finishes for its illuminated railing systems, offering the flexibility to match a variety of aesthetics. On this project, finishes included raw brass, matte black and satin brass. Each finish contributes to the space's design and provides valuable insight for expanding Wagner's painted finish library.
Wagner’s tailored approach ensured that every fixture, finish and handrail remained faithful to the theatre’s legacy while meeting today’s technical demands. The architectural lighting system is subtle by design, but its impact endures. Wagner's illuminated railings offer quiet guidance and dependable support, all while blending seamlessly into the theatre's historic surroundings.
