Pekin Theatre facts for kids
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| Address | 2700 State Street Chicago, Illinois United States |
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| Type | Black-owned theatre |
| Genre(s) | Musical theatre, vaudeville |
| Capacity | 1200 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 18 June 1904 |
| Renovated | 1906 |
| Closed | After 1920 |
| Demolished | 1946 |
The Pekin Theatre in Chicago was a very special place! It opened on June 18, 1904. It was the first theatre in the United States owned and run by Black people that focused on music and vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts like singers, dancers, comedians, and magicians.
From 1904 to about 1915, the Pekin Theatre was a training ground and a stage for amazing Black actors, musicians, and performers. It gave African-American artists a chance to learn and show off their talents. This helped create a strong tradition of Black theatre. The Pekin was known by many names, like the "Temple of Music."
The Pekin Theatre became famous for its all-Black acting company. It also had a school for actors. Its orchestra could play many types of music, from lively ragtime to grand opera. The theatre put on many new musical comedies.
Robert T. Motts founded the theatre. He made it successful by featuring only Black performers. He also welcomed audiences of all races. Motts used his theatre to support important social causes. He passed away in 1911. After that, the theatre slowly lost its fame. But Motts had created a new way for Black businesses to succeed.
Contents
History of the Pekin Theatre
How the Pekin Theatre Started
In 1901, Robert T. Motts visited France. He was inspired by the music halls in Paris. Motts, who owned a club and restaurant in Chicago, wanted to help his community. He decided to create a place for uplifting and cultural entertainment.
In 1904, Motts changed his Pekin club and restaurant into the Pekin Theatre. It was located at 27th and State Street. He called it the "Temple of Music." A fire damaged the theatre in 1906. Motts then rebuilt and improved the entire building.
The New Pekin Theatre
After the fire, the theatre reopened on March 31, 1906. It was much bigger, holding 1200 people instead of 400. It even had special box seats. The "New Pekin Theatre" had its own group of Black artists. They performed original musical comedies, funny plays, and dramas. These shows were written and composed by Black artists. The first show was a musical called The Man from 'Bam.
Motts hired many talented and experienced theatre workers. Charles Sager was the stage manager. J. Ed Green was the producing director. Joe Jordan was the music director. The Pekin Theatre became the only theatre in America that showed only Black artists. This was important because many people at the time did not believe Black people could manage a theatre well.
The Pekin Theatre had a staff of 18 African-American people. This included a press agent, a treasurer, and even a doctor for the theatre. The acting group, called the Pekin Stock Co., had 34 members. Motts did not charge money for tickets. Instead, he made money from selling drinks during the shows.
The Pekin's Influence
The Pekin Theatre became a very important part of the Bronzeville area. This area was known as "the Stroll." By 1910, there were over 53 theatres across the United States owned and run by Black people. Seven of these theatres were named after Robert T. Motts' New Pekin Theatre. For example, the Old Crown Theatre in Boston changed its name to the Pekin.
Decline of the Pekin Theatre
Interest in vaudeville and stock theatre began to decrease. New forms of entertainment, like movies and "nickel shows" (where you paid a nickel to watch short films), became popular. White-owned theatres in Bronzeville, Chicago also created more competition.
Despite these challenges, the Pekin Theatre continued to do well while Motts owned it. But he passed away in 1911. Many people attended his funeral, showing how much he was respected. After his death, the Pekin Theatre was sold to different owners. It never became as famous as it once was.
In 1912, two movie projectors were added to the theatre. Films like The Railroad Porter were shown when live plays were not scheduled. This continued until 1915. During World War I, around 1917, the building became a dance hall. Famous jazz musicians like King Oliver played there. Later, the building was used as a police station and jail. In 1946, the building was torn down. Today, the site is mostly parking lots and the Dearborn Homes.
Notable Performers at the Pekin
Many talented actors, playwrights, and directors helped make The Pekin Theatre popular. Motts carefully chose the performers. He made sure that the shows were always clean and appropriate. Many performers who started their careers at The Pekin later became very famous.
- Charles Sidney Gilpin
- Jesse A. Shipp
- Harrison Stewart
- Lottie Grady
- J. Ed Green
- Lillyn Brown
- Miller and Lyles
- Andrew Tribble
- Aida Overton Walker
Booker T. Washington, a famous leader, even attended performances. He also gave a speech from the Pekin Theatre stage.
Legacy of the Pekin Theatre
In 2017, a special show called "An Evening at the Pekin Theatre" was held. It was a one-night event that brought the spirit of the Pekin back to life. Reginald Robinson, a ragtime musician who won a special award, performed. A Chicago historian named Tim Samuelson also led walking tours of "the Stroll" area.
See also
- African Grove Theatre an African American owned live company specializing in drama that existed in 1820s New York City.
