Howard Theatre facts for kids
Exterior of theatre after renovation (c. 2015)
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| Address | 620 T St. NW Washington, D.C. 20001-5117 |
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| Location | Shaw |
| Coordinates | 38°54′55″N 77°01′25″W / 38.9152388°N 77.0237138°W |
| Owner | Council of the District of Columbia |
| Operator | Blue Note Entertainment Group |
| Capacity | 700 (Reserved) 1,200 (General Admission) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | August 22, 1910 |
| Renovated | 1941, 1972, 2012 |
| Architect | J. Edward Storck |
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Building details
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| General information | |
| Opened | April 9, 2012 |
| Renovation cost | $30 million |
| Renovating team | |
| Renovating firm | Martinez & Johnson Architecture, Marshall Moya Design |
| Structural engineer | Lundy & Franke Engineering |
| Services engineer | Metropolitan Engineering |
| Civil engineer | Wiles Mensch Engineering |
| Main contractor | Whiting-Turner |
| Awards and prizes | DC Award for Excellence in Historic Resources (2012) |
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Howard Theatre
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Part of | Greater U Street Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002162 |
| Added to NRHP | February 15, 1974 |
The Howard Theatre is a famous historic theater in Washington, D.C.. It opened way back in 1910. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important building in American history.
For many years, the theater was a special place for African-American audiences and performers. It was called the "Theater of the People." Many famous Black musicians and artists performed there. The theater also supported two acting groups: the Lafayette Players and the Howard University Players. In 2010, big renovations began to make the theater shine again. It reopened in April 2012 with exciting shows. Famous acts like Wanda Sykes and Chaka Khan performed there.
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Howard Theatre: A Historic Stage
The Howard Theatre has a long and interesting history. It has been a center for entertainment and culture for over a century.
Early Years and Design
The Howard Theatre was built in 1910. It was founded by the National Amusement Company. When it first opened, it could hold over 1,200 people. J. Edward Storck designed the theater. It had seats on the main floor and a balcony. There were also fancy boxes near the stage. The inside was beautifully decorated.
The outside of the theater was also very grand. It mixed different styles of architecture. These included Beaux-Arts, Italian Renaissance, and Neoclassical styles. A large statue of Apollo playing his lyre sat on top of the building.
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Famous Performers and Changes
Andrew Thomas was the theater's first manager. Later, in 1922, actor Sherman Dudley took over. In 1926, Abe Lichtman, who owned many theaters for Black audiences, managed it. During the Great Depression, the building was even used as a church for a while.
In 1931, the theater returned to its original purpose. Duke Ellington and his band performed there. This helped make the Howard a popular entertainment spot. Shep Allen, a new manager in the 1930s, started an amateur contest. This contest helped launch the careers of stars like Billy Eckstine and Ella Fitzgerald.
In 1941, the theater's original fancy front was changed. It was updated to a more modern "Streamline" style. During World War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor attended events there. Performers like Danny Kaye and Abbott and Costello entertained at these events. Pearl Bailey also made her first big appearance at the Howard Theatre in the 1940s.
A Hub for Music
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Howard Theatre became a major venue for rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues. Many legendary artists performed on its stage. These included Sarah Vaughan, James Brown, Lena Horne, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes.
The riots in 1968 caused a lot of damage to the area. This, along with desegregation, made it hard for the theater to attract visitors. The Howard Theatre closed in 1970.
In 1973, a group called the Howard Theatre Foundation worked to reopen it. They succeeded in getting the building recognized as a historic landmark in 1974. In 1975, the theater reopened with performances by Redd Foxx and Melba Moore. Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, go-go bands played there. Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers also performed. The theater closed again in 1980. At that time, it was the oldest venue in the country that featured Black artists.
The Grand Reopening
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In 2006, a company called Ellis Development was chosen to renovate the theater. The District government provided $20 million to help with the renovation.
Ellis Development formed a group called Howard Theatre Development Group LLC. They received nearly $12 million in public funds for the project. They also created a nonprofit group to manage the theater.
In September 2010, work began on the big renovations. The goal was to restore the Howard Theatre to its original glory. It would have 600 seats. The theater officially reopened on April 9, 2012, with a special Community Day. The grand opening event was held the next day.
Modern Acts
Since its reopening, the Howard Theatre has hosted many different famous acts. These include Vic Mensa, Anthony Hamilton, The Roots, Chaka Khan, and Kendrick Lamar. It continues to be an important place for music and culture in Washington, D.C.
