Ellen Eccles Theatre facts for kids
The Ellen Eccles Theatre is a popular place for shows and events in Logan, Utah. This theatre can hold about 1,100 people. It is used for many different kinds of performances. You can watch concerts, plays by local groups, and beautiful ballet shows here. It also screens movies.
Many famous touring acts from across the country perform at the Ellen Eccles Theatre each year. During the summer, the Utah Festival Opera Company puts on shows. All year long, you can see performances by groups like the Cache Valley Civic Ballet and Music Theatre West. Utah State University also uses the theatre for its student shows.
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History of the Ellen Eccles Theatre
How the Theatre Began
The Ellen Eccles Theatre was first built in 1923. Back then, it was known as the Capitol Theatre. It was a lively place that hosted vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with many different acts, like singers, dancers, and comedians. The theatre also hosted opera performances.
From Vaudeville to Movies
Over time, vaudeville shows became less popular. The Capitol Theatre then started to be used mostly for local community events. More and more, it became a place to watch movies. By the 1980s, the theatre was in poor condition. It was mainly showing older, second-run movies and looked quite run-down.
Saving the Theatre
In 1988, it looked like the Capitol Theatre might be torn down. The plan was to turn the space into a parking lot. But an opera singer and professor named Michael Ballam stepped in. He taught at Utah State University and led the effort to save the theatre.
Thanks to his hard work, the city of Logan received the theatre as a gift. A special group was then formed to fix up and run the theatre. This group is now called the Cache Valley Center for the Arts.
A New Beginning
The restoration work faced a challenge in 1990. A fire damaged a large part of the theatre's side building. However, the work continued. The theatre was given a new name: the Ellen Eccles Theatre. It was named after a family member of one of the main people who helped pay for the repairs.
The newly restored Ellen Eccles Theatre opened with a special show on January 8, 1993. It has been a beloved part of the community ever since.
