Empress Theatre (Magna, Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Empress Theatre
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Front facade
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9104 W 2700 S, Magna, Utah |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Architectural style | classical revival, Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000962 |
| Added to NRHP | 1985 |
The Empress Theatre is a special theater located on Main Street in Magna, Utah. It has been around for over 100 years! Built in 1916 by the Western Theatre Corporation, it first opened to entertain the people who worked in the mines nearby.
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A Look at the Empress Theatre's History
The Empress Theatre is a very important building in Magna. Its design mixes two fancy styles: Neo-classical and Beaux Arts. This makes it the most beautiful building of its kind in Magna. While it might not be the most famous Neo-classical building in Utah, it stands out. Many small towns in Utah have theaters like the Empress. These theaters often look much grander than the other simple buildings around them.
Why the Empress Theatre is Special
The Empress Theatre is one of the oldest and best-kept buildings in Magna. It is also the oldest theater still standing in the community. When it was built, it was the second theater in Magna. The first one, the Palace Theatre, was open from 1914 to 1917. We don't know where the Palace Theatre was located today.
The Empress Theatre was built during a time when Magna was growing very fast. This was in the 1910s and 1920s. The Utah Copper Corporation started in 1903. It brought many small mining companies together into one big one. Soon after, they built large processing plants near a place called Pleasant Green. This area later became known as Magna.
Main Street's Changing Face
The Empress Theatre was one of many buildings built on Main Street during the 1910s and 1920s. This created a busy shopping area. However, many of those old buildings have been empty for the last 50 years. The main shopping area has moved to other parts of town. Also, the local economy has been slow, causing many businesses on old Main Street to close.
The Empress Theatre is one of the best-preserved old buildings on Main Street. It also has the most detailed and beautiful design. Most other buildings in the area are quite plain.
On May 9, 1985, the Empress Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. You can find more about it at National Register #85000962. It is the only building in Magna with this special honor.
How the Theater Works Today
More than 300 volunteers from the Salt Lake Valley help run the Empress Theatre every day. These volunteers do many important jobs. The theater also has a creative team. This team plans the shows and decides what kind of art the theater will focus on. They choose the plays for each season and manage the schedule. They also hire directors and other staff for each show. They make sure every production fits the theater's goals.
Supporting the Community Theater
The money needed to run the theater comes from grants and donations. This means every show is a true example of community theater. Besides the 8 to 10 shows put on each year, the theater has a special youth program. This program is for kids aged 6 to 18 during the summer. In just three weeks, they prepare and put on a full musical!
The theater, like other buildings in Downtown Magna, was damaged. This happened during a 5.7 magnitude earthquake on March 18, 2020. You could see the damage on the building.
The Oquirrh Hills Performing Arts Alliance
In 2006, a group called the Oquirrh Hills Performing Arts Alliance (OHPAA) started working. They successfully brought the Empress Theatre back to life as a working theater. Since then, the volunteers, actors, and board members of OHPAA have worked very hard. They have improved both the organization and the building. Their goal is to keep bringing great family entertainment to this part of the Salt Lake Valley.
See also
