Victoria Theatre (Dayton, Ohio) facts for kids
Victoria Theatre in 2009
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| Address | 138 North Main Street Dayton, Ohio United States |
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| Coordinates | 39°45′44″N 84°11′32″W / 39.762181°N 84.192180°W |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | 1,154 |
| Opened | January 1, 1866 |
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Victory Theater Building
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| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001037 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1972 |
The Victoria Theatre is a historic building in downtown Dayton, Ohio. It has 1,154 seats and is a place where many different shows happen. You can see plays, music, dance, movies, and comedy here.
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History of the Victoria Theatre
The Victoria Theatre is one of the oldest theaters that has been open continuously in North America. It first opened on New Year's Day in 1866. Back then, it was called the Turner Opera House. The first show was a play called Virginius. People said it was "the best theater west of Philadelphia." Tickets cost about $1 for general admission.
Fires, Floods, and New Names
A big fire destroyed the theater in 1869. It caused a lot of damage. But the theater was rebuilt and opened again in 1871. It was then called "The Music Hall." Later, in 1885, its name changed to "The Grand Opera House." On September 18, 1899, it became the "Victoria Opera House." Finally, in 1903, it got its current name, the Victoria Theatre. This was two years after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom passed away.
The theater faced more trouble during the huge Great Dayton Flood in 1913. The flood badly damaged the ground floor. After repairs, another fire hit the building in 1918. Rebuilding was slow because of World War I.
In 1919, the theater reopened with a new name: "The Victory Theatre." This name honored the American effort in the war. For many years, it was a popular stop for traveling shows. Famous performers like Al Jolson, The Marx Brothers, and Harry Houdini performed there.
In 1930, the Victory Theatre started showing "talking pictures" (movies with sound). In the 1950s and 1960s, it was a favorite place for families to watch movies.
Saving the Theatre
By the late 1960s, downtown Dayton was changing. New shopping malls in the suburbs made it harder for the theater to attract visitors. In 1975, there were plans to tear down the Victory Theatre to build a parking lot.
But people in the community spoke up! They wanted to save the theater. Their efforts helped the building get listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This saved it from being torn down. Young volunteers even raised money and did some of the early repair work themselves.
The theater used to have secret tunnels under the city streets. People said that during the Vaudeville era, circus animals could be brought from trains through these tunnels. This way, they stayed hidden until showtime!
Throughout the 1970s, the theater continued to host plays, rock concerts, and movies. The Dayton Ballet Company also performed there. It was also known for its "Midnight Movies" that attracted many teenagers.
Modern Upgrades and Renovation
In the late 1970s, the stage manager, Gary Kuzkin, improved the stage's technical equipment. Workers replaced old ropes and electrical wires. In 1978, the theater received a big gift from National Cash Register (NCR). They donated stage equipment and a historic pipe organ.
In 1986, Virginia Kettering gave $7 million to create a downtown arts center. She wanted the Victoria Theatre to be part of it. The theater continued to host many traveling shows. Famous choreographer Twyla Tharp even used it to try out her new productions.
In 1989, the theater closed for a huge renovation. The inside was completely rebuilt, but the beautiful outside and the main auditorium from 1919 were carefully saved. The old commercial space at street level became a grand new lobby. The theater was renamed the Victoria Theatre again. It was designed specifically for performing arts. The auditorium looked just like it used to, with restored plaster, marble, and decorations. It also got new, modern wiring, lighting, and sound systems.
Today, the Victoria Theatre has 1,154 seats. The stage is large, and there's a pit for an orchestra. There are also ten dressing rooms for performers.
In 2003, the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center opened. It's operated by the same group as the Victoria Theatre. The Schuster Center hosts bigger shows, like large Broadway productions. The Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Opera, and Dayton Ballet also perform there. These two venues, along with the Metropolitan Arts Center, make up the heart of Dayton's performing arts district.
Dayton Live
Dayton Live is a non-profit arts organization. It used to be called the Victoria Theatre Association. This group owns and runs the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, the Victoria Theatre, the PNC Arts Annex, and the Metropolitan Arts Center. They do this to help the community and the arts groups that use these places.
Dayton Live puts on over 300 shows each year for all ages. These include Broadway shows, comedy, concerts, movies, and family shows. They also have educational programs. Many local arts groups call Dayton Live venues their home. These include the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the Dayton Performing Arts Association.
The organization announced its new name, Dayton Live, on March 10, 2020. This new name covers all four venues: The Victoria Theatre, The Schuster Performing Arts Center, Loft Theatre, and the PNC Arts Annex. It also includes Ticket Center Stage. Their motto is: "Bringing you the best theatre and event experiences in the Dayton Region, Your Home for Arts, Culture & Entertainment."
Ty Sutton, the president and CEO, said the name "Dayton Live" shows the energy of live events. It also highlights that downtown Dayton is a great place for arts and entertainment.
Just a few weeks after changing its name, COVID-19 caused venues across the country to close. Dayton Live worked hard to keep going, even though many staff members had to be laid off. In 2021, they faced delays in getting important government funding. This funding was meant to help venues that had to close.
Ty Sutton said that the delays were due to strict checks. He felt that these checks were slowing down help for those who needed it. But as the pandemic has eased, shows are returning. Dayton Live plans a full schedule of entertainment for 2022.
See also
- Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center
- Loft Theatre
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Dayton, Ohio
