Teatro Principal (Guanajuato) facts for kids
The Teatro Principal (which means Main Theater) is a very old and important theater in the city of Guanajuato, Mexico. It was the first theater ever opened in this city, way back in the 1700s! You can find it on Mendizábal Street, right on the corner of Avenida Juarez.
Contents
History of the Main Theater
Early Days as "Corral de Comedias"
The theater was built in a grand style called Neoclassical. It first opened its doors in 1788 and was originally named "Corral de Comedias," which means "Comedy Yard." Back then, Guanajuato was a busy mining city, and people needed entertainment. The theater was built so that everyone, no matter their social class, could come and enjoy shows.
Changes Over Time
By the early 1800s, the Teatro Principal was considered one of the best theaters in all of Mexico. It was updated and improved several times, including in 1826 and 1831. However, as years passed, the building started to get old and worn out. Eventually, it had to close its doors.
After the Mexican Revolution, the theater was given a new life as a cinema, showing movies instead of plays. But in 1921, there was a fire, and the building closed again. It stayed closed for a long time, until the 1950s.
Rebuilding and Reopening
In the 1950s, the theater was completely rebuilt and given a fresh, modern look with Art Deco style elements. It reopened on September 16, 1955, ready for its new purpose.
The Theater Today
Today, the Teatro Principal is managed by the University of Guanajuato. It's a very busy place, hosting all sorts of cultural events. You can often see exciting plays and amazing contemporary dance performances there. It's also one of the main places where the famous Festival Internacional Cervantino takes place, which is a huge international arts festival.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Principal de Guanajuato para niños
