Civic Theatre of Allentown
Encyclopedia
Civic Theatre of Allentown is a historic community center that hosts theatre, arts education and film. It is located on 19th street in Allentown, Pennsylvania
. The theatre was developed by Rubin Maiken and Alex Minker, and opened Sept. 17, 1928. The first movie to be shown at the 19th Street Theatre was a silent film called "The Sawdust Paradise." It featured the new Moller DeLuxe theatre organ that the owners of the 19th Street had purchased for $16,000. The heirloom instrument is still played at times for audiences at the theatre today. Since the summer of 1957 the Civic Theatre of Allentown has owned the building, offering several plays a year there, in addition to a variety of independent and international films. Civic Theatre School provides young people of ages 4-18 with a program in drama and movement and also hosts acting seminars for adults.
In addition to its main historic theatre, Civic Theatre of Allentown owns Theatre514, a production center and 60-seat Black Box Theatre facility across the street from the main theatre. Civic uses the facility as one of its screens for its well-regarded independent and international film series, as well as to produce and present additional theatrical programming.
In 2009, Civic Theatre alumni Michael McDonald
was nominated for both a Tony Award
and a Drama Desk Award
in Costume Design for his work in the Broadway revival of Hair
. Among the other prestigious alumnae of Civic Theatre are former Lehigh Valley residents and professional actors Amanda Seyfried
("Mama Mia"), Michaela Conlin
FOX TV's "Bones"), Dan Roebuck ("The Late Shift"); actor Dane DeHaan
("In Treatment"); and actress Christine Taylor
("The Wedding Singer").
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
. The theatre was developed by Rubin Maiken and Alex Minker, and opened Sept. 17, 1928. The first movie to be shown at the 19th Street Theatre was a silent film called "The Sawdust Paradise." It featured the new Moller DeLuxe theatre organ that the owners of the 19th Street had purchased for $16,000. The heirloom instrument is still played at times for audiences at the theatre today. Since the summer of 1957 the Civic Theatre of Allentown has owned the building, offering several plays a year there, in addition to a variety of independent and international films. Civic Theatre School provides young people of ages 4-18 with a program in drama and movement and also hosts acting seminars for adults.
In addition to its main historic theatre, Civic Theatre of Allentown owns Theatre514, a production center and 60-seat Black Box Theatre facility across the street from the main theatre. Civic uses the facility as one of its screens for its well-regarded independent and international film series, as well as to produce and present additional theatrical programming.
In 2009, Civic Theatre alumni Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald (costume designer)
Michael McDonald is an American costume designer who was nominated for both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award in 2009 for his work on the Broadway revival of the musical Hair....
was nominated for both a Tony Award
Tony Award for Best Costume Design
These are the winners and nominees for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design. The award was first presented in 1947 and included both plays and musicals...
and a Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design
The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee of New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors...
in Costume Design for his work in the Broadway revival of Hair
Hair (musical)
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
. Among the other prestigious alumnae of Civic Theatre are former Lehigh Valley residents and professional actors Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Michelle Seyfried is an American actress, singer-songwriter and former child model. She began her career as a child model when she was 11, and at 15 began her career as an actress, starting off with uncredited roles and moving on to recurring roles on As the World Turns and All My...
("Mama Mia"), Michaela Conlin
Michaela Conlin
Michaela Conlin is an American stage and television actress best known for her work on the Fox TV series Bones, as Angela Montenegro.-Early life:...
FOX TV's "Bones"), Dan Roebuck ("The Late Shift"); actor Dane DeHaan
Dane DeHaan
- Biography :DeHaan got his start in Broadway Theatre as the understudy for Haley Joel Osment in American Buffalo. He made his television debut in 2008 with a guest appearance on Law & Order Special Victims Unit. He made his feature film debut in John Sayles' Amigo and recently starred as Jesse in...
("In Treatment"); and actress Christine Taylor
Christine Taylor
Christine Taylor-Stiller is an American actress.- Early life :Taylor was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Joan, a homemaker, and Skip Taylor, an owner of a security company. She grew up in neighboring Wescosville, Pennsylvania...
("The Wedding Singer").