Imperial Theatre 2 Vintage Augusta Georgia Architectural Art

by Reid Callaway

Title

Imperial Theatre 2 Vintage Augusta Georgia Architectural Art

Artist

Reid Callaway

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Imperial Theatre 2.....by Reid Callaway
Vintage Augusta Georgia
Architectural Art

The Imperial Theatre manager turned on the lights for my photography shoot of the vintage Augusta, Georgia Theatre! Enjoy!!!

Augusta's Imperial Theatre began in 1917 as a vaudeville showcase named The Wells Theatre. It was founded by impresario Jake Wells and was designed by architect G. Lloyd Preacher in the Victorian Renaissance style for a total cost of $47,792.00.
Below are price listings for opening night.
Prices for Opening Night, Feb. 18, 1918
• Matinee: $0.10 and $0.20
• Evening: $0.15
• Orchestra $0.35
• Balcony: First Section: $.35, Remainder: $0.25, Gallery (Colored Section) $0.15

The Wells Becomes The Imperial
Throughout the early 1900s the theatre continued to provide the city of Augusta and the surrounding area with great entertainment. In 1929, as vaudevillian acts decreased in popularity and motion pictures enjoyed meteoric success, Miller decided to renovate the Imperial into a full-time movie house in the popular art deco style. In March 1936 "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," starring Henry Fonda and Fred McMurray, became the first color film to be shown at the Imperial. It is in the Broad Street Historical District and is listed on the National Register as important to the character of the entire district.
Due to the decline of the downtown area, the Imperial continued as a film theatre until it closed in 1981. In 1985 it was recognized for its architectural significance and reopened as a performing arts venue with the help of local performing arts groups like the Augusta Ballet and the Augusta Players.
Today the Imperial Theatre is a vibrant arena for entertainment, with a full season of musicals, dance, concerts, comedy and more. It is noted in the National Register as critical to the character of the Broad Street Historic District. Currently, the Imperial is the only operating historic theatre in Augusta, connecting artists and patrons by providing superb entertainment in a gracious and historic setting. Today, the Imperial is still the home for the Augusta Ballet, the Augusta Players, as well as the Morris Museum of Art's Southern Soul + Song Series, Storyland Theatre, Dance Augusta, Columbia County Ballet, Ed Turner and the Number 9 Band, Westobou Festival events and the Poison Peach Film Festival.

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Uploaded

May 23rd, 2019

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