New features include IMAX® with Laser, new sound and seating, better accessibility and more
ST. LOUIS, MO. – March 12, 2019 – The Saint Louis Science Center is proud to announce details
of updates to the OMNIMAX® Theater, with construction slated to begin in late July. The
OMNIMAX Theater will undertake its largest renovation since it was built in 1991, converting the film projection system to IMAX’s next-generation laser technology designed for 180-degree domed theater environments – IMAX® with Laser. The groundbreaking new laser technology will further enhance The IMAX Experience® for guests. The theater will be temporarily closing on July 29 and reopening in late November. Additionally, to prepare for the updates, the OMNIMAX will be closed from April 23 through May 2 for pre-construction work.
IMAX with Laser represents a quantum leap forward in cinema technology – providing audiences with the sharpest, brightest, clearest and most vivid digital images ever combined with powerful, immersive audio. The new technology will allow the Science Center to deliver a wider array of the highest-quality digital content – including documentaries and blockbuster films – and lead the industry with new kinds of cutting-edge educational experiences. “The Science Center is thrilled to make this major upgrade to the OMNIMAX Theater, which is a well-known destination in the St. Louis area,” said Barbara Boyle, interim CEO of the Saint Louis Science Center. “The changes will provide a richer, more immersive experience for our guests, while also utilizing less energy and creating savings in operational costs. This is just one way the Science Center continues to innovate, while keeping our guests at the center of everything we do.”
The new system also includes IMAX’s state-of-the-art sound technology that delivers the ultimate in power and precision. IMAX’s six-laser-aligned loudspeakers distribute equal volume throughout the theater to create an optimum listening environment that ensures every seat is the best seat in the house. Whether it’s hearing a pin drop or feeling the heart-palpitating force of a volcano erupting, audiences will experience complete audio immersion.
Other updates to the OMNIMAX during this time include:
- New NanoSeam™ screen, making every inch of the dome surface completely uniform and seam-free
- Wider seats with retractable arm rests, creating a more comfortable experience for guests
- Raising the pit of the theater, allowing presenters at special events to be closer to the audience
- Wider variety of accessibility options, including more space for visitors using wheelchairs, companion seating and upgraded technology for visitors with visual and hearing impairments
- Ability to livestream and simulcast content, increasing the variety of presentation events
- Updated OMNIMAX Theater lobby
Leading up to the temporary closure of the OMNIMAX Theater, guests still have time to experience film screenings with a few special opportunities.
- Now showing:
- Cuba: Journey to the Heart of the Caribbean The film uses stunning aerial photography of the island combined with artistic storytelling to immerse audiences in the rhythms and exuberance of the nation.
- Australia’s Great Wild North Journey across the whole Top End of Australia and discover one of the few places on Earth that remain wild and pristine.
- Returning for a short run:
- Tornado Alley (March 1-12) Follow a team of storm chasers as they track a tornado.
- Jerusalem (April 14-21) Discover why this tiny piece of land is sacred to three major religions through the stories of Jewish, Christian and Muslim families who call Jerusalem home.
- D-Day: Normandy 1944 (May 24-June 20) June 6, 1944: The largest Allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France. From the end of 1943 through August 1944, this region became the most important location in the world. The showing of this film coincides with the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
- Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon (June 21-July 22) This documentary film transports viewers to the lunar surface, where they can walk alongside the 12 extraordinary astronauts who have been there, experiencing what they saw, heard and felt. This film will be shown in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the first lunar landing on July 20, 1969.
- Superpower Dogs Opening March 15, this film demonstrates the life-saving superpowers of the world’s most extraordinary dogs.
- Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation Opening May 17 and complementing POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION, the film tells the story of earth’s creation and the contribution
of volcanoes to the great wildlife ecosystems and their impact on humans and the world.
New for 2019 is the OMNIMAX Dinner Series, a series of “dinner and a movie” ticketed events that include a film screening, themed dinner and dessert, two drink tickets and cash bar, a presentation from one of the filmmakers and entertainment. The first of these three events, Cuba, Culture and Cuisine in early March, was a sold-out event with overwhelmingly positive guest support. The remaining events are:
Since the theater opened in 1991, it has shown 117 films to over 8.7 million visitors. For more information about the OMNIMAX Theater, please visit slsc.org/omnimax.
For the most updated information on activities and events at the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Saint Louis Science Center
The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning. Named a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate in 2016, the Saint Louis Science Center features more than 700 interactive exhibits, as well as a five-story OMNIMAX® Theater, Boeing Hall and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org.
Contact: Mindy Peirce
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