Iowa City Englert Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Englert Theatre in Iowa City
, Iowa
opened in 1912 when William Englert and his wife bought the former livery stable and turned it into a unique entertainment spot. At its opening the Theatre seated 1079 people and college students flocked in to the only theatre of its kind in Iowa City.The Englert Theatre is a historic home for the arts in the heart of downtown Iowa City. This 725-seat non-profit venue presents a wide variety of performances each year, including live music, theatre, dance, comedy, lectures and more. Nationally known touring artists as well as local artists and community performing organizations all are featured on the Englert’s stage.
The mission of the Englert Theatre is to own, maintain and operate the Englert Theatre as a community arts center and performance space, enhancing the vitality of Iowa City's historic down town by preserving its last historic theater.
Just ten years after the opening of the theatre a massive fire almost destroyed the entire building. The cost of damages totaled over $125,000, however the owners of the building immediately planned to rebuild. The Englert remained in Iowa City until 1999 when the owners decided to sell the old building. The Englert was purchased by a well-known bar owner and the public began the "Save the Englert" project. Eventually enough money was raised and the Englert was refurnished and is in operation to this day.
for as many as 40 nights per year. The space has also been host to several well-known groups and performers have visited the theatre including: The Second City
, Greg Brown, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Paula Poundstone
and many other acts as well. The theatre is also the primary venue for the Landlocked Film Festival
.
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
opened in 1912 when William Englert and his wife bought the former livery stable and turned it into a unique entertainment spot. At its opening the Theatre seated 1079 people and college students flocked in to the only theatre of its kind in Iowa City.The Englert Theatre is a historic home for the arts in the heart of downtown Iowa City. This 725-seat non-profit venue presents a wide variety of performances each year, including live music, theatre, dance, comedy, lectures and more. Nationally known touring artists as well as local artists and community performing organizations all are featured on the Englert’s stage.
The mission of the Englert Theatre is to own, maintain and operate the Englert Theatre as a community arts center and performance space, enhancing the vitality of Iowa City's historic down town by preserving its last historic theater.
History
Upon its opening the local newspaper applauded the theatre saying: “The theatrical world has seen beauty knocking at its doors, and received a royal welcome. W. H. Englert has evidenced his wideawake uptodateness, by erecting a 20th century playhouse bearing his name, to be dedicated during the current week. Iowa has nothing finer, size considered” (Iowa City Daily Press. Sept. 23, 1912).Just ten years after the opening of the theatre a massive fire almost destroyed the entire building. The cost of damages totaled over $125,000, however the owners of the building immediately planned to rebuild. The Englert remained in Iowa City until 1999 when the owners decided to sell the old building. The Englert was purchased by a well-known bar owner and the public began the "Save the Englert" project. Eventually enough money was raised and the Englert was refurnished and is in operation to this day.
Performances
Vaudeville acts were the main source of entertainment as they swung through the city on tours of the country. Since re-opening the theatre has worked to keep the venue full even embarking on a deal in 2004 with the University of IowaUniversity of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
for as many as 40 nights per year. The space has also been host to several well-known groups and performers have visited the theatre including: The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
, Greg Brown, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Paula Poundstone
Paula Poundstone
Paula Poundstone is an American stand-up comedian.- Early life :Poundstone was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and her family moved to Sudbury, Massachusetts. Poundstone attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, but dropped out to pursue a show business career...
and many other acts as well. The theatre is also the primary venue for the Landlocked Film Festival
Landlocked Film Festival
Landlocked Film Festival is an annual film festival hosted in Iowa City, Iowa. The Festival was founded in 2007. Landlocked Film Festival was created to support independent filmmaking by bringing the best of independent world cinema to the American heartland, by providing workshops led by experts...
.