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The Valenti Room, which serves as the green room for the theater. Elevator lobby on the MPA office floor.

the design team employed several bits of subtle yet deft sound just moves around you—it’s very immersive.”
architectural choreography. Over the doorway leading to said McKinney. “MPA wanted this to be the best
the theater, for example, is a canopy-like soffit that bows screening room on the East Coast. From a technological
outward from the serpentine wall and is finished in the standpoint, I believe it’s one of the best in the country.”
same metal fins. The canopy evokes an old-fashioned The “green room” on the second floor, which is
movie theater marquee without resorting to hokey named in honor of the late Jack Valenti, is actually
imitation. When an event is about to begin in the mostly finished in what the architects call “Hollywood
screening room, lights in the pre-function space begin to red,” including the carpet, ceiling, and plush seating.
pulse, thus drawing guests into the theater. The corridor Located in an area of the building that does not enjoy
between the internal doorway and the theater space is good views outward, the space is cocoon-like, with
lined with red carpet, making all visitors feel like VIPs. heavy, red-velvet draperies lining the outside wall.
The screening room itself occupies the same The room has a built-in make-up counter, bar, and
double-height space that was carved out for it in hospitality area for guests preparing to go on stage in
Koubek’s original design for the building. Previously the main theater. The Valenti Room can also double as a
encircled by drab beige draperies, the theater is now private screening facility.
a much warmer and livelier room, its side walls lined Visitors arriving at MPA’s offices on the eighth
with metal fins like those in the pre-function area. Cove floor of the building are greeted by an elevator lobby
lights inset into the side walls lead the eye toward an that also features a red carpet, along with photomurals
arc of classic theater sconce lights that swoop upward depicting theater marquees, searchlights, and swarms
to frame the screen. While most of the chairs in the of paparazzi. The office reception area includes a
theater are upholstered in black, the three rows closest waiting and breakout space with a display wall
to the screen are covered in amber-colored mohair, featuring memorabilia from famous movies produced
creating a more intimate environment for smaller by MPA member studios, including the “proton pack”
screenings without the need for moveable partitions. from the 2016 version of Ghostbusters, the Sorting Hat
The theater incorporates sophisticated audiovisual from the Harry Potter movies, and Aquaman’s suit. A
technology, including a Dolby Atmos sound system large conference area and various private and open
powered by 41 speakers and six subwoofers. “The offices make up the rest of the floor.
56 HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC