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A New Score for the Arts

Arts Center Hits all the Right Notes in Modernizing the Theater Experience

Location: Costa Mesa, California

Industry: Live Performance Venues

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Setting the stage
FOR A NEW GENERATION

Objective

Originally built in the 1980s, Segerstrom Center for the Arts® wanted to revitalize its iconic venue, integrating cutting-edge technology while honoring its rich legacy. As the largest event space in Orange County and a celebrated destination for Broadway hits and Hollywood elites, the Center needed to replace outdated static signage with vibrant, dynamic digital displays that captured both artistry and innovation. The goals were to modernize the guest experience, attract younger, tech-savvy audiences, and elevate the venue without losing its classic charm. The center’s transformation would serve as a true Broadway-worthy production, where tradition and technology perform in perfect harmony. 

"Segerstrom Center for the Arts® opened in 1986, and it was absolutely state of the art at the time. While it's still extremely beautiful and well maintained, we couldn't help but notice that more and more of the areas are becoming dated as the years go by. We wanted to change that in a big way that not only celebrates the arts but also our most generous supporters."

Casey Reitz,
President & CEO, Segerstrom Center for the Arts®

D Flair
Group 187

Solution

Diversified, in collaboration with Weidner and key technology partners, composed a masterful solution for Segerstrom Center—blending cutting-edge digital displays with the theater’s original design. With vivid imagery and vibrant colors, these digital canvases set the stage for an exciting theater experience before guests even reach their seats. 

"We loved the idea of incorporating video throughout the facility and the flexibility it enables to highlight the history of the center and some of our most important moments."

Casey Reitz,
President & CEO, Segerstrom Center for the Arts®

600+ SqFt

of Direct View LED Display

Donor Recognition Takes the Stage:

WeidnerCA chose to partner with Diversified to create digital donor recognition displays that seamlessly merge artistry and technology, delivering a visually stunning and meaningful tribute. Drawing inspiration from the sheet music that brings performances to life, WeidnerCA’s design meticulously integrated curved and flat direct-view LED panels into custom bronze-fabricated signage, redefining traditional donor plaques as dynamic digital masterpieces. Through advanced mockups and prefabrication rehearsals, the team ensured flawless execution, achieving impeccable alignment with the original design. Strategically placed across multiple levels of the theater, these displays transformed the space into a luminous gallery of gratitude. 

6

LED Controllers

The Perfect Performance Behind the Digital Curtain:

Behind the scenes, WeidnerCA and Diversified set the stage for efficient content management. Using precise pixel mapping and customized resolution guidance, the content development team can create dazzling visuals with ease. To keep the creative curtain rising, the new CMS gives Segerstrom Center’s team the tools to update and manage content as effortlessly as a well-rehearsed monologue, ensuring that the displays remain as dynamic as the performances on stage. 

5

Media Players

A Standing Ovation for Tradition and Innovation:

Much like a classic musical revival, this project infused new life into the theater while honoring its original design. The iconic wood paneling remained untouched, providing a classic backdrop for the modern LED installations. The foyer and staircase areas were transformed into immersive showcases, blending the elegance of the past with the innovation of the present. Overall, the transformation is a scene-stealing act of preservation and modernization, where tradition and technology dance seamlessly together.

"Collaborating with Diversified to bring Segerstrom Center’s vision to life was a unique opportunity to merge the traditional beauty of the theater with the boundless potential of modern digital displays. The end result is something that enhances both the history and the future of Segerstrom Center in an entirely new way."

— Will Rodriguez, Vice President of Creative, WeidnerCA

Impact

With this transformation, Segerstrom Center has taken a bold encore, stepping confidently into the spotlight of innovation. What was once a dated facility now dazzles as a modern masterpiece, blending cutting-edge digital displays with the elegance of its original design. Visitors are greeted with a sleek, reimagined aesthetic that celebrates the center’s donors in a visually stunning and dynamic fashion, replacing static signage with vibrant displays that resonate with younger, tech-savvy audiences and foster deeper engagement with the arts. 

Behind the curtain, operational efficiency has taken center stage. Staff can now update content with the precision of a well-rehearsed production, ensuring the displays remain as fresh and compelling as the performances hosted within the venue. 

The collaboration between Segerstrom Center, Weidner, Diversified, and its partners is a show-stopping example of how technology and tradition can harmonize, creating unforgettable experiences that honor the past while embracing the future. 

"We have audiences who have been coming here for decades. When they're suddenly hit with that vivid color and imagery of dancers and performances throughout the facility, there's an unmistakable delight on their faces. It's really that wow factor that we were going for."

Casey Reitz,
President & CEO, Segerstrom Center for the Arts®

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