Indiana Theatre (Indianapolis) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Indiana Theatre
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Front of the theater
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Rubush and Hunter; William P. Jungclaus Company, Inc. |
| Architectural style | Spanish Baroque |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000035 |
| Added to NRHP | January 29, 1979 |
The Indiana Theatre is a special place for shows and events in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can find it at 140 West Washington Street. It was built in 1927 as a grand movie theater, also known as a movie palace, and a ballroom. Today, it is the home of the Indiana Repertory Theatre, a professional theater company. Because of its history and unique design, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it's a very important building in American history. The theater is part of the Washington Street-Monument Circle Historic District, a historic area in the city.
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What Makes the Indiana Theatre Special?
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The Indiana Theatre is a tall building, six stories high, made with a strong concrete frame. The front of the building is covered in beautiful white terra cotta, which is a type of baked clay. The most eye-catching part of the front is a cool, curving arch above the main sign, called the marquee. This arch has fancy decorations inspired by Spanish art. The original marquee, which is the big sign with lights, is still there today.
Inside the Theatre
When the theater first opened, the basement had fun things like bowling alleys and billiard rooms. The floors above were used for offices and the theater itself. Inside, there was a large entrance lobby and an even bigger main lobby that was two and a half stories tall! The main auditorium, where people watched movies, could hold 3,200 people. It was decorated with amazing plaster designs that looked like Spanish Baroque style.
The Indiana Roof Ballroom
On top of the building is the Indiana Roof Ballroom. This is a huge ballroom designed to look like an outdoor town square, complete with buildings and a stage. The ceiling is a big, oval-shaped dome that can show sky effects, making it feel like you're dancing under the stars! The Indiana Theatre is a great example of the grand movie palaces built in America a long time ago.
Modern Updates
In 1979 and 1980, the building was carefully restored. The main auditorium was changed to fit the needs of the Indiana Repertory Theatre, making it perfect for live plays and performances.
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