FEATURE NAME INSTALLATION BY JEFF AUTHOR WOOTEN
MARQUEE ATTRACTION T
he Embassy Theatre has been a mainstay in the downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana cityscape ever since its opening back in 1928. It has transitioned from an old-time movie palace to a live performance arts center. Seventeen years ago, the venue received a marquee overhaul/upgrade to celebrate its seventy-fifth anniversary with the switch out from a classic letter board to a full-color digital sign. However, a few months ago, technical issues started plaguing the operation of 26
Sign Builder Illustrated
February 2021
this key communication tool for the Embassy Theatre. The tri-faced electronic signage was malfunctioning on a regular basis, with one side eventually stopping to work completely. This was proving a problem as a 2020 traffic study conducted in the area found that 450,000 vehicles pass by the Embassy Theatre building every month. Owners knew it was time for an upgrade (especially as digital solutions have since evolved and improved). This past December, The Baldus Com-
pany installed a new and improved, threesided 50-by-4-foot marquee electronic message center for the Embassy Theatre. This 6mm Watchfire Signs display plays host to a program of highest resolution, polished messaging and has added to the further beautification of this long-time downtown structure. The Baldus Company also happens to be located in Fort Wayne and is well aware of the historical significance of the Embassy Theatre, as they have also been a notable fixture themselves in the downsignshop.com
Photos: The Baldus Company.
A state-of-the-art retrofit for a classic theatre.
