Lawton's McMahon Auditorium To Reopen With Major Upgrades

Lawton residents will soon be able to enjoy an elevator, expanded restrooms and more at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium. The auditorium will host the City of Lawton's Birthday Celebration on August 8. The celebration will be the auditorium's first event post construction.

The McMahon Memorial Auditorium has been undergoing of a year's worth construction to modernize the 70 year old building. The auditorium is one of Lawton's most historic structures that is still actively in use today. Phase I of construction added new amenities to the auditorium, like an elevator and expanded restrooms, but a bulk of the projects are aimed to extend the life of the building.

Infrastructure improvements and modernizations have been Phase I of the McMahon Memorial Auditorium construction.

McMahon Memorial Auditorium closed in early summer of 2025 for construction to begin. During this time, the auditorium has gained its first ever elevator and expanded restrooms, which is very exciting for those who frequent the auditorium. Projects also included new heating and air systems, fire safety features, updated mechanical areas, and modern upgrades for plumbing and electrical.

The McMahon Memorial Auditorium's first scheduled event after construction is on August 8.

The community will get an opportunity to experience the upgrades at McMahon Memorial Auditorium during the City of Lawton's Birthday Celebration on August 8, which will be the auditorium's first scheduled event after construction.

The building is expected to officially be turned back over from CDBL, the contractor, to the City of Lawton this week on Friday, May 15. After this date, auditorium staff and the McMahon Auditorium Authority, which oversees the auditorium, will test and evaluate equipment to make sure the auditorium will be ready to host events again later this year.

The McMahon Memorial Auditorium was gifted to Lawton in 1955.

The McMahon Memorial Auditorium first opened in 1955, and was gifted to Lawton by Louise D. McMahon and the McMahon Foundation. The auditorium was dedicated to enriching the arts in Lawton and southwest Oklahoma.

Since opening, the McMahon Memorial Auditorium has served as a cornerstone for the arts in Lawton. The auditorium has seen marquee names like Elvis Presley take the stage. But its biggest impacts have been on local lives.

Many residents saw "The Nutcracker" for the first time during Lawton's Storey and Barton School of Dance annual holiday performances. Others first experienced a live orchestra when the auditorium hosted concerts from the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra and the former 77th Army Band.

Some residents took their first steps on stage at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium during a local dance school's recital, a play produced by Lawton Community Theatre or competing in the Miss Lawton/Miss Lawton Outstanding Teen Pageant. And many people from all over the country have seen their loved ones graduate basic training from Fort Sill at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium.

When dedicated over 70 years ago, Louise D. McMahon concreted her vision for the future Lawton's arts community. Now with the near completed modernization, the auditorium has a new foundation to reach its centennial.

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