Lensic Theater facts for kids
The exterior of the pseudo-Moorish, Spanish Renaissance Lensic Theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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| Address | 211 West San Francisco Street Santa Fe, New Mexico United States |
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| Coordinates | 35°41′16.5″N 105°56′28″W / 35.687917°N 105.94111°W |
| Capacity | 821 |
| Current use | performing arts center |
| Construction | |
| Opened | June 24, 1931 |
| Rebuilt | 1999-2001 |
| Architect | Boller Brothers |
The Lensic Theater is a cool old theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It has 821 seats! This special building was designed by the Boller Brothers. They were famous architects who created almost 100 theaters across the West. The Lensic opened on June 24, 1931. It looks like a mix of Spanish and Moorish styles. The theater's name, "Lensic," comes from the first letters of the six grandchildren of one of its builders, E. John Greer.
The Lensic was completely fixed up and made new between 1999 and 2001. Now, it's a modern place for live shows in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico.
Contents
A Look Back: Early Days of the Lensic
From the 1930s to the 1960s, the Lensic Theater was a very popular spot in Santa Fe. People came to watch movies and vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with many different acts, like music, comedy, and dance.
Many famous stars performed or visited the Lensic during these years. Imagine seeing Rita Hayworth, Roy Rogers, Judy Garland, Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan, and Yehudi Menuhin right there!
Saving the Lensic: Restoration Story
Like many old theaters, the Lensic started to get worn out over time. By the late 1990s, it wasn't used much for live shows. This was because its stage was small and its movie equipment was old.
But a group of people decided to save it! They formed a non-profit group to raise money. Their goal was to bring the Lensic back to life as a performing arts center. In December 2000, a national group called the National Trust for Historic Preservation helped out. They made the Lensic an official "Save America's Treasures" project.
The big restoration work finished in April 2001. A main goal was to make it a great place for music and plays. Workers made the stage deeper and added new lights and sound systems. They also carefully fixed all the unique decorations. The whole project cost about $9 million.
The Lensic Today: A Hub for Arts
Today, the Lensic is the main place for performances in Santa Fe. Many groups use it for their shows, including:
- The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
- The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
- The Santa Fe Desert Chorale
- The Santa Fe Short Story Festival
- The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
- Performance Santa Fe (which brings many music, dance, and theater events)
The theater also hosts ballet shows, lectures, and touring companies. Sometimes, you can even still watch classic movies there!
Theater Facts: Stage and Seating
Here are some interesting facts about the Lensic Theater:
- Stage Size
- Height: 22 ft (6.7 m) (that's about as tall as a two-story building!)
- Width: 40 ft (12 m)
- Depth: Up to 40 ft (12 m)
- How Many Seats?
- Orchestra level (downstairs): 504 seats
- Balcony level (upstairs): 317 seats
