The Grand Theatre (Kingston, Ontario) facts for kids
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Grand Opera House (1901-2-)
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Leo, the Royal Cadet, The Grand Theatre Jun 3–5 1915
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| Address | 218 Princess Street Kingston, Ontario K7L 1B2 |
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| Capacity | 775 (main theatre); 105 (smaller theatra); proscenium stage; orchestra pit |
| Current use | Professional and amateur theatre |
| Opened | 1902 |
| Closed | 1936–1938; 1961–1966; |
| Years active | 1902–present |
| Website | |
| http://www.kingstongrand.ca/ Official Website of The Grand Theatre | |
The Grand Theatre is a historic theatre located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the city's main places for performing arts. Since 1964, it has been the home of the Kingston Symphony. The main theatre can seat 776 people. It has a large stage and a special area for musicians called an orchestra pit. The building also has a smaller, flexible theatre called The Baby Grand. This smaller space can seat 105 people.
Contents
History of The Grand Theatre
Early Years and Famous Performers
The Grand Theatre was built between 1901 and 1902. It stands where an older theatre, Martin's Opera House, once was. That building burned down in 1898. When it first opened, The Grand Theatre was known as the Grand Opera House. Its first big show was on January 14, 1902.
From 1905 to 1936, a person named Ambrose J. Small owned and ran the theatre. He was an "impresario," which means he organized and managed shows. Many famous performers appeared at the theatre during these early years. These included Sarah Bernhardt, Al Jolson, and Nellie Melba.
From Theatre to Movie House
In 1936, Ambrose J. Small sold the theatre to a company called Famous Players. They decided to close the theatre and change it into a movie cinema. After two years of work, the building reopened as a movie house on May 20, 1938. It showed movies until it closed again in 1961.
Saving The Grand Theatre
In the early 1960s, The Grand Theatre was almost torn down. But a group of people who cared about the theatre formed the Kingston Arts Council. They worked hard to stop the demolition. They wanted the theatre to be saved and used again for live shows. Their goal was for it to become a "civic theatre." This meant it would be a public theatre for the community. It would be home to the Kingston Symphony and a place for local and touring groups to perform.
Work to restore the theatre began in 1964. The newly named The Grand Theatre opened its doors on May 20, 1966. The first show was a musical called Spring Thaw.
Modern Renovations and The Baby Grand
Starting in 1978, the theatre began a series of updates. These changes added new lounge areas and better facilities backstage for performers. The smaller theatre, The Baby Grand, was created in 1985. It was started by Sarah Garton Stanley and Eric Kaskens. The Baby Grand was updated and reopened in November 1990.
