When Laurie Auditorium opened its doors in 1971, the Trinity community certainly couldn’t have imagined the range of notable figures who would take its stage over the decades. To name a few? Former President Jimmy Carter, civil rights activist Julian Bond, former U.K. Prime Minister Madeleine Albright, blues legend B.B. King, and self-help author Brené Brown.
Today, the 2,709-seat auditorium remains sturdy enough to host crowds eager to hear from distinguished lecturers and throngs of proud family members ready to celebrate spring commencement. But like anything still standing after half a century, Laurie could use a facelift.
This summer marks the start of a multi-phase renovation to address overdue maintenance and improve the venue for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors who use Laurie for major campus events. It also houses the university’s Department of Media and Communication, KRTU 91.7 FM, and TigerTV, making it an important academic hub.
“The university is investing in Laurie Auditorium as a long-term community asset,” says Jeff Meischen, senior project manager for campus planning and project development. “As improvements continue over time, Trinity hopes to attract additional performances for both the campus and the greater San Antonio community to enjoy.”
The first phase of construction, already underway, includes exterior restoration, and roof repairs. Renovations below the auditorium include updated practice rooms for the music department, and the creation of a dedicated green room to better accommodate performers and guest speakers for the 40-or-so events it hosts per year.
Crews are also fixing and replacing deteriorated sections of the building’s iconic exterior wooden slats to match the original design. Roof repairs, along with mechanical, electrical, and code-related improvements, will help extend the building's lifespan and support future operations.
The second phase, scheduled for late August through early November, will focus on the auditorium itself. All audience seating will be replaced (bright red to be swapped out for a more subdued maroon), and new carpeting will be installed throughout the performance hall.
What won’t change? Its style. Laurie’s exposed wood trusses and semicircular shape reminiscent of a Greek amphitheater will remain the same. The auditorium is part of Trinity University’s National Historic District, home to the world’s largest collection of O’Neil Ford’s mid-century modern designs.
The work focuses on preserving the building while extending its useful life rather than fundamentally changing the auditorium, Meischen adds. Because of its significance, the project is being completed under historic preservation guidelines.
When can you see the refreshed space? The renovated auditorium is expected to reopen in November, with final project closeout later that month. One show on the books for 2027 includes symphony/rock tribute band Queen Sensation.