Emporia Granada Theatre

Emporia Granada Theatre
Location 807 Commercial
Emporia, Kansas
Coordinates 38°24′28″N 96°10′48″W / 38.40778°N 96.18000°W / 38.40778; -96.18000Coordinates: 38°24′28″N 96°10′48″W / 38.40778°N 96.18000°W / 38.40778; -96.18000
Area less than one acre
Built 1929
Architect Boller Brothers
Architectural style Spanish Colonial Revival
NRHP Reference # 85000693[1]
Added to NRHP April 04, 1985

The Granada Theatre is a theatre located in Emporia, Kansas, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and was designed by the Boller Brothers.

History

The Granada Theatre was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $350,000 ($4.83 million in 2016 dollars[2]). Its 1,400-seat capacity made it one of the largest movie palaces in Kansas. The theatre was dedicated on October 3, 1929, in a speech by “The Sage of Emporia,” William Allen White. During its early years, the theatre attracted many famous performers. In addition to screening movies, it was used for everything from beauty contests to traveling vaudeville acts. It was leased for many years to the Fox Corporation and became known as the Fox Theatre.[3]

Architect Robert O. Boller, of Boller Brothers, Architects, designed the Granada Theatre. Boller Brothers were nationally known theatre designers with offices in Kansas City and Los Angeles.[3]

The theatre’s exterior is designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style popular during the late 1920s. The stucco front façade features intricate terra cotta details, including five clowns, which provide a theatrical touch. The Spanish style is carried into the theatre with alcoves surrounded by gilded plaster details. Ornate plaster panels also lined the balcony rail and the proscenium arch.[3]

Like many grand old movie palaces of its era, the Granada’s popularity declined during the 1960s and 70′s. During this period, the building suffered from neglect and damage resulting from a leaking roof. It was closed in 1982. In April 1985, the theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but, it was not until demolition threatened the building in 1994 that a group of citizens rallied to save the theatre.[3]

In cooperation with the Kansas Preservation Alliance, the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance was formed and acquired the building, saving it from destruction. Since then, the Alliance members and numerous volunteers have spent countless hours stabilizing and renovating the outside of the building and preparing for the interior phase of the project. Working cooperatively with other local arts, cultural and tourism organizations, the Alliance has developed a plan to make the Granada Theatre a keystone facility – a place that builds community.[3]

Emporia Granada Theatre Logo

Board of Directors

When a group of people, known as the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance, bought the Granada Theatre in 1994, they set up a Board of Directors to oversee everything done at the theatre. They raised money for renovating the theatre, as well. The Director of the Granada Theatre, Brian Williams, also reports to them.[4]

Executive Members: [4]

  • Kristi Henrikson-Mohn, President
  • Gary Andrews, Vice-President
  • Harry Stephens, Past-President
  • Janis Meyer, Treasurer
  • Mary Sue Wade, Secretary
  • Sarah Harbaugh, Executive at Large
  • Brad Harzman, Executive at Large

Full Board Membership: [4]

  • Sue Blechl
  • Scott Bolley
  • Dr. William H. Clamurro
  • Tyler Curtis
  • Mary Downing
  • Staci Hammon
  • Rachel LeClear
  • Roy Mann
  • Janet Miley
  • Janelle North
  • Paula Sauder
  • Dave Stormont
  • Beth Thomas
  • Tom Thompson
  • Marge Trayer
  • Jan Traylor
  • Mike TurnBull
  • Norma Watson

Notable performances

Wynonna Judd performing at the Theatre on July 24, 2016

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/30/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.