Case Study: Milwaukee Zoo

Block sun without blocking the view. That was the goal for the Kohl’s Wild Theater at the Milwaukee County Zoo. This outdoor theater offers children and families a great opportunity to learn more about the natural world through a variety of fun-filled performances. Although these performances are generally well attended, the zoo staff noticed a lack of shade was affecting how many people came on hot, sunny days. They turned to CRS to find a solution to block the sun without blocking the show.

We worked with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee to design and install a shade system that would provide the much needed shade without obstructing audience sightlines of the stage. A combination of a cantilever shade structure over the central spectator bleachers and shade sails directly over the stage transformed the theater into a comfortable place where zoo patrons could sit and enjoy the zany performances, even on the sunniest of days.