Theatre Cedar Rapids facts for kids
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| Address | 102 3rd St SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
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Theatre Cedar Rapids (often called TCR) is a special place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It's a community theatre, which means local people are involved in putting on shows. Every year, TCR performs many plays and musicals. They also teach acting classes for those who want to learn. More than 50,000 people come to watch shows at TCR each year. Over 35,000 hours of volunteer work help make these shows happen.
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History of Theatre Cedar Rapids
How it Started
The theatre began in 1925. It was part of a bigger movement called the Little Theatre Movement. A famous artist named Grant Wood and other people from the community started it. They put on small shows in Wood's apartment. This apartment was at a place called 5 Turner Alley.
Grant Wood was very involved. He designed the sets for the plays. He also wrote, directed, and acted in them. Wood used this same space as his art studio. It's where he painted his very famous picture, American Gothic. Another artist, Marvin Cone, also helped build and paint scenery. The theatre group paused their shows during World War II.
After the War
In 1948, after the war ended, the group started up again. They called themselves "The Footlighters." They usually performed at the local YMCA and at Coe College. In 1955, the group found a new home. They moved into the Old Strand Theatre. This building used to be a movie theater since 1912. It was also known as The Olympic. When they moved, the group changed their name. They became "The Cedar Rapids Community Theatre (CRCT)."
The Modern Era
In June 1928, a different theatre opened. It was called the 'RKO Iowa Theatre.' This theatre showed movies. It also had live vaudeville stage shows. In 1940, a famous actress named Katharine Hepburn performed there. She was in the play The Philadelphia Story.
In April 1983, the Iowa Theatre closed down. Four months later, Audrey Linge gave the building to the CRCT. When the CRCT moved into the Iowa Theatre building, they changed their name again. This time, they became Theatre Cedar Rapids.
The 2008 Flood
In 2008, a big flood hit Iowa. Theatre Cedar Rapids was badly damaged by the water. The theatre had to close until February 2010. While the building was being fixed, the group kept performing. They put on shows at local malls and churches.
Two actors, Michael Emerson and Ron Livingston, helped raise money. Both actors grew up in Cedar Rapids. They recorded videos to help with fundraising. Ron Livingston had even performed at TCR before. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gave over $4 million for the repairs. FEMA also made a short film about the building's restoration.
The theatre is home to a special musical instrument. It has the only remaining 'Rhinestone' Barton Organ. This organ was also badly damaged in the 2008 flood. But it has been carefully restored and now works again.
After the theatre was fixed, one of the first shows was Rent. Anthony Rapp, who played a main role in the original Broadway show, came to see a performance. After the show, he answered many questions about the play's history. He praised TCR, saying, "Thank you guys, for a performance with so much heart, grace, humor and spirit." He also said, "To be able to restore this theater shows the community’s commitment to the arts — and this theater is amazing."
A Play and a Protest
In 2010, TCR put on the play The Laramie Project. This play is about how a community reacted to a terrible event. It explores themes of understanding and acceptance. A group called Westboro Baptist Church planned to protest the play. They said they would protest the "filthy, goofy 'theatrical production'."
People who supported the theatre and disagreed with the church planned a counter-protest. They wanted to show their support for the play's message. In the end, the church did not show up to protest. The counter-protesters then turned their gathering into a rally to show unity and support for the arts.
Celebrating 80 Seasons
Theatre Cedar Rapids has achieved some special things. It was one of the first community theatres in the world to perform Les Misérables. The movie star Hugh Jackman, who played a main character in the movie version, even sent a video greeting. He wished them "Chookas", which means good luck in theatre. TCR was also one of the first theatres in the world to perform the stage version of Disney's Mary Poppins.
Notable People from TCR
Many talented people have been involved with Theatre Cedar Rapids. Here are some of them:
- Grant Wood
- Marvin Cone
- Ron Livingston
- Don DeFore
- Macdonald Carey
- Megan Reinking
- Joshua Casteel
See also
