Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts
Encyclopedia
The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts is a concert and entertainment venue in downtown Columbia, Missouri
, occupying most of a city block between 9th street between Locust and Elm Streets. It was designed after the Opéra Garnier by the Boller Brothers
, built in 1928, and is on the National Register of Historic Places
. It Columbia's only surviving pre-Depression
movie palace and vaudeville
stage. It is also the resident home of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra as well as a performance venue for many of Columbia's non-professional community groups and for touring artist from around the world. The 1,218-seat theatre is often simply called The Missouri Theatre
proclaimed the "Formal Opening of your new Missouri Theatre—Friday Evening… A $400,000 Showhouse of Unrivaled Beauty and Extravagant Setting in Central Missouri. The Magnificent Splendor of This Palace of Amusement Will Dazzle and Thrill You." Telegrams were received from The United Artist in Hollywood, as well as from actors such as Charlie Chaplin
and Gloria Swanson
, congratulating the managers of the theater. On opening night the performers included The Missouri Rockettes (later to become the Radio City Rockettes) and Jack Keith and his Missouri Orchestra. It was rumored that Bob Hope
also made an appearance. The Theatre operated much in this fashion as well as a movie palace until 1953.
Because of its size and extravagance The Missouri Theatre was difficult to maintain and was leased to Commonwealth Theaters, Inc. in 1953 who operated it as a single-screen movie theater until 1983. In 1979 the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The advent of the multiscreen cinemas in Columbia lead to the eventually purchase of the theatre by the Missouri Symphony Society on January 7, 1988.
In 2002, the Missouri Symphony Society began plans to transform the Missouri Theatre into the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts (MTCA). The Missouri Symphony Society experienced record-breaking success in 2005 with the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival as more than 11,200 music lovers attended concerts featuring Maestro Kirk Trevor, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and world-renown guest artists throughout its eight-week summer season.
On July 28, 2007, the restoration of the Missouri Theatre began after the conclusion of the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. The following summer, the fully restored Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts re-opened with Tony Bennett
and the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. The renovations included a new second floor with administrative offices and a 2,500 sq. ft. rooftop patio.
Today the theatre serves as one of the premier fine art venues in Columbia. It is the headquarters of the Missouri Symphony Society (MOSS), the Women's Symphony League (WSL), and the Columbia Art League
(CAL). It serves as an educational center for the MOSS Youth Orchestra, MOSS Children's Choir, and the Missouri Technical Theater Institute.
The interior of the building is ornate baroque and rococo style of the Louis XIV and XV periods. It was designed after the Paris Opera House by the Boller Brothers Architects of Kansas City, Missouri
. Much original detail still exist, including Belgian marble wainscoting, plaster reliefs, stained glass and, one of the most notable features, an 1800-pound Italian auditorium chandelier featuring crystal prisms and etched panels. At one time, the deep red carpet in the grand lobby had the Great Seal of Missouri
and the letter M woven into it.
Through its annual eight-week season, the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival in June and July, and tours throughout the state and beyond, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra has been heralded by the Kansas City Star as an ensemble that performs with "energy and elan, as well as secure technique." Since 2001, the MSO has been directed by Maestro Kirk Trevor.
The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts also serves as the central location for arts attractions such as:
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
, occupying most of a city block between 9th street between Locust and Elm Streets. It was designed after the Opéra Garnier by the Boller Brothers
Boller Brothers
Boller Brothers, also spelled as Boller Bros., was an architectural firm based in Kansas City, Missouri which specialized in theater design in the Midwest of the United States during the first half of the 20th century...
, built in 1928, and is on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It Columbia's only surviving pre-Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
movie palace and vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
stage. It is also the resident home of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra as well as a performance venue for many of Columbia's non-professional community groups and for touring artist from around the world. The 1,218-seat theatre is often simply called The Missouri Theatre
History
The theater opened on October 5, 1928 to a flurry of excitement from the community of Columbia. It was built at a cost of over 400,000 dollars which is equivalent to over 4.5 million dollars today. Advertisements in the Columbia Daily TribuneColumbia Daily Tribune
The Columbia Daily Tribune, commonly referred to as the "Columbia Tribune" or the "Tribune," is one of two daily newspapers in Columbia, Missouri. It is also the only daily newspaper in Columbia, Missouri that has circulation verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, and has been a member of...
proclaimed the "Formal Opening of your new Missouri Theatre—Friday Evening… A $400,000 Showhouse of Unrivaled Beauty and Extravagant Setting in Central Missouri. The Magnificent Splendor of This Palace of Amusement Will Dazzle and Thrill You." Telegrams were received from The United Artist in Hollywood, as well as from actors such as Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
and Gloria Swanson
Gloria Swanson
Gloria Swanson was an American actress, singer and producer. She was one of the most prominent stars during the silent film era as both an actress and a fashion icon, especially under the direction of Cecil B. DeMille, made dozens of silents and was nominated for the first Academy Award in the...
, congratulating the managers of the theater. On opening night the performers included The Missouri Rockettes (later to become the Radio City Rockettes) and Jack Keith and his Missouri Orchestra. It was rumored that Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
also made an appearance. The Theatre operated much in this fashion as well as a movie palace until 1953.
Because of its size and extravagance The Missouri Theatre was difficult to maintain and was leased to Commonwealth Theaters, Inc. in 1953 who operated it as a single-screen movie theater until 1983. In 1979 the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The advent of the multiscreen cinemas in Columbia lead to the eventually purchase of the theatre by the Missouri Symphony Society on January 7, 1988.
In 2002, the Missouri Symphony Society began plans to transform the Missouri Theatre into the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts (MTCA). The Missouri Symphony Society experienced record-breaking success in 2005 with the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival as more than 11,200 music lovers attended concerts featuring Maestro Kirk Trevor, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and world-renown guest artists throughout its eight-week summer season.
On July 28, 2007, the restoration of the Missouri Theatre began after the conclusion of the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. The following summer, the fully restored Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts re-opened with Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
and the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. The renovations included a new second floor with administrative offices and a 2,500 sq. ft. rooftop patio.
Today the theatre serves as one of the premier fine art venues in Columbia. It is the headquarters of the Missouri Symphony Society (MOSS), the Women's Symphony League (WSL), and the Columbia Art League
Columbia Art League
The Columbia Art League is local Art League in Columbia, Missouri. The headquarters are located in the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts in Downtown Columbia. The league sponsors Art in the Park, an annual fine arts festival that draws thousands of visitors to downtown Columbia...
(CAL). It serves as an educational center for the MOSS Youth Orchestra, MOSS Children's Choir, and the Missouri Technical Theater Institute.
Architecture
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. Much original detail still exist, including Belgian marble wainscoting, plaster reliefs, stained glass and, one of the most notable features, an 1800-pound Italian auditorium chandelier featuring crystal prisms and etched panels. At one time, the deep red carpet in the grand lobby had the Great Seal of Missouri
Seal of Missouri
The Great Seal of the State of Missouri was adopted on January 11, 1822. Judge Robert William Wells, who was also a congressman, designed the seal. The center of the seal contains the Great Seal of the United States on the right side, and, on the left, symbols representing the state...
and the letter M woven into it.
Missouri Symphony Orchestra
The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts is the home of mid-Missouri's only professional resident symphony orchestra, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra (MSO). Established by the Missouri Symphony Society in 1976, the MSO is composed of musicians from throughout the United States and around the world.Through its annual eight-week season, the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival in June and July, and tours throughout the state and beyond, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra has been heralded by the Kansas City Star as an ensemble that performs with "energy and elan, as well as secure technique." Since 2001, the MSO has been directed by Maestro Kirk Trevor.
Arts Education
In addition to the Missouri Symphony Society's artistic programming, the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts is home to multiple arts education programs and organizations, including the:- MOSS Youth Orchestra
- MOSS Junior Strings
- MOSS Children's Choir
- The Treblemakers
- Missouri Theatre Technical Institute
- Plowman Chamber Music Competition
- Mary Nell Porter Premiere Series
Local Arts Organizations
The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts also provides a performance venue home for many local not-for-profit arts organizations:- Women's Symphony League
- Columbia Art LeagueColumbia Art LeagueThe Columbia Art League is local Art League in Columbia, Missouri. The headquarters are located in the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts in Downtown Columbia. The league sponsors Art in the Park, an annual fine arts festival that draws thousands of visitors to downtown Columbia...
- FRANK
- Columbia Civic Orchestra
- Missouri Contemporary Ballet
- Ragtag CinemaRagtag CinemaRagtag Cinema is a non-profit independent movie theater located in Columbia, Missouri. The theater was founded by Paul Sturtz and David Wilson in May 2000. The theater strives to champion film and other media arts to stimulate and encourage the culture of the community...
's Missouri Theatre Film Series - University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Show-Me Opera - P.A.C.E. Youth Theatre
- Belly Dance United
- Boonslick Chordbusters
- Columbia Chorale
The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts also serves as the central location for arts attractions such as:
- True/False Film FestivalTrue/False Film FestivalThe True/False Film Festival is an annual documentary film festival that takes place in Columbia, Missouri. The festival usually happens on a weekend toward the end of February or the beginning of March, with films being shown from Thursday night to Sunday night...
- Blind Boone Ragtime Festival
- Mozart-Higday Music Trust Series
- Concerts presented by The Blue Note (Missouri)The Blue Note (Missouri)The Blue Note is a music venue in Columbia, Missouri. It was established in 1980 by Richard King and Phil Costello in a restored vaudeville theater. The original Blue Note was located at 912 Business Loop 70 East and moved to its Ninth Street location in the early 90's. It is famous/infamous for...