The Wallace Theater: Bringing Sound and Vision to a Historic Restoration
The Challenge
Built in 1928 as Wallace Blankenship's dream movie palace, the Wallace Theater in Levelland closed in the mid-1980s and remained vacant for decades, unable to compete with megaplex theaters in nearby Lubbock. When executive director Alycyn Keeling and her team launched a comprehensive restoration to transform the historic venue into a premier arts, culture, and education center, they needed modern audio and visual systems that could support diverse programming while respecting the building's Art Deco heritage.
The renovated theater would need to accommodate concerts, films, live theater, community events, and educational programming for over 4,000 local students. The space required flexible technology that could serve multiple functions, from movie screenings to theatrical productions to wedding receptions.
Our Solution
Infinity Sound partnered with the Wallace Theater restoration team to design and install comprehensive audio and visual systems that honor the venue's 1928 origins while providing cutting-edge performance capability for 21st-century programming.
We deployed L-Acoustics speakers and head ends combined with QSC processing to deliver pristine sound quality across every seat, whether for intimate acoustic performances or high-energy concerts. Allen & Heath audio trim-out provided operators with intuitive control and routing flexibility for diverse event types.
For visual systems, we installed Vivitek displays that deliver vibrant, high-contrast imagery for both film screenings and live event support, complemented by Lumens video trim-out for professional camera and video management. ETC lighting systems give technical directors complete control over atmosphere and mood, adapting seamlessly from the warm glow needed for classic films to dynamic theatrical productions.
QSC trim-out tied the entire system together, providing a unified, user-friendly control interface that makes operating this sophisticated venue accessible to staff and visiting production teams alike.
The Results
The Wallace Theater held its grand opening celebration on September 20, 2025, featuring live performances and marking the return of entertainment to downtown Levelland after four decades. The restored venue now serves as a multi-purpose cultural hub with flexible seating for up to 280 people and technology that seamlessly transitions between films, concerts, and theatrical performances.
The theater has already seen remarkable community engagement. Interest in productions grew from just 20 auditions for their first show in 2020 to over 100 auditions for upcoming performances. The space now provides arts education and entertainment access to thousands of rural students who previously had limited exposure to cultural programming.
Most importantly, technology works invisibly to support the mission. Whether hosting a first date at the movies, a wedding reception, or providing arts education to local students, the Wallace Theater's modern systems preserve the magic of the historic space while enabling the diverse programming that makes it vital to the Levelland community.
Technology Deployed
Audio: L-Acoustics speakers and head ends, QSC processing, Allen & Heath trim-out
Video: Vivitek displays, Lumens video trim-out
Lighting: ETC lighting systems
Control: QSC trim-out for unified system management
