The balcony at the Carolina was reserved for use by persons of color prior to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — after which it was closed in conformation with Title II and the end segregation in public accommodations. While in use as a segregated seating area, a separate entrance to the right of the main lobby entrance provided direct access to the balcony from Main Street. A writing desk at the top of the stairs served as the ticket counter. Following desegregation, the balcony was closed until the renovations that resulted in the less-than-pleasant upstairs movie theater experience.
Prior to the 1970s renovations, the proscenium arch was flanked by scrolling Art-Moderne pilasters with atmospheric lighting embellishing the vertical lines. The side walls were illuminated by tri-part brushed aluminum sconces. The underside of the protrusion of the balcony was a reinterpretation of the scrolling pilaster motif that flanked the proscenium. The 1970s remodeling (or re-muddle-ing) pretty much destroyed all of the original architectural features in favor of some sort of rough sawn lumber and smoked mirror interior in the lobby, which was of no particular style. The original kiosk was removed at this time and a new ticket counter was installed in the right wall (facing the theater) where the exterior second floor access had originally been located.
The balcony at the Carolina was reserved for use by persons of color prior to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — after which it was closed in conformation with Title II and the end segregation in public accommodations. While in use as a segregated seating area, a separate entrance to the right of the main lobby entrance provided direct access to the balcony from Main Street. A writing desk at the top of the stairs served as the ticket counter. Following desegregation, the balcony was closed until the renovations that resulted in the less-than-pleasant upstairs movie theater experience.
Prior to the 1970s renovations, the proscenium arch was flanked by scrolling Art-Moderne pilasters with atmospheric lighting embellishing the vertical lines. The side walls were illuminated by tri-part brushed aluminum sconces. The underside of the protrusion of the balcony was a reinterpretation of the scrolling pilaster motif that flanked the proscenium. The 1970s remodeling (or re-muddle-ing) pretty much destroyed all of the original architectural features in favor of some sort of rough sawn lumber and smoked mirror interior in the lobby, which was of no particular style. The original kiosk was removed at this time and a new ticket counter was installed in the right wall (facing the theater) where the exterior second floor access had originally been located.