Woodstock Opera House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Woodstock Opera House
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, Illinois |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | Hoag, Smith |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002184 |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 1974 |
The Woodstock Opera House is a historic building in Woodstock, Illinois. It is a special place for live shows and events. It was built in 1889. The building was first designed to hold city offices, police, and fire departments. It also had a space for performances.
Architect Smith Hoag planned the building. Contractor Simon Brink built it for about $25,000. Today, the City of Woodstock still owns the building. It is now only used for performances. In 2013, the stage was named after Orson Welles. He grew up in Woodstock and performed there when he was young.
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History of the Opera House
The Opera House opened in 1889. It held the city library, council room, and justice court. It also housed the fire department. The second floor had an auditorium for shows. The first show was Margery Daw by the Patti Rosa Company. This happened on September 4, 1890.
The Opera House became a main spot for fun in McHenry County, Illinois. It hosted many traveling shows. These included vaudeville acts, minstrel shows, and plays.
Early 20th Century Performances
When traveling shows became less common, the Opera House changed. It became home to one of the first summer stock theatres in the Chicago area. This was for a short time. The Todd Theatre Festival of 1934 was a six-week summer event. It was put on by the Todd Seminary for Boys. Orson Welles, who graduated from the school in 1931, organized it.
Three plays were performed: Trilby, Hamlet, and Tsar Paul. Welles himself performed in these plays. Other famous actors also took part. The stage was named after Welles in 2013. The Opera House also celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Todd Theatre Festival.
The Woodstock Players
In 1947, a group of people started the Woodstock Players. For several years, this group helped students gain acting experience. These students had graduated from the Goodman School. Many well-known actors performed here. These included Paul Newman, Tom Bosley, and Geraldine Page.
In 1968, the Town Square Players were formed. They became a non-profit group in 1973. The Woodstock Musical Theatre Company started in 1974. They also made the Opera House their home. In 2019, these two groups joined together. They are now called Theatre 121. They still perform shows at the Opera House every year.
Architecture and Restoration
The Opera House was built in 1889. Architect Smith Hoag designed and built it. The cost was $25,000. Most of the building materials came from the local area. These included limestone, terra cotta, and brick.
The building mixes different styles. It has elements from the late Victorian-era and Early American designs. It also shows Midwestern, Gothic, and even Moorish styles. The inside looks like the grand showboats of that time. Its size and decorations copy those floating theaters.
Restoring the Building
By 1960, the auditorium and stage were getting old. The Junior Civic Arts League worked hard to fix them. The Woodstock Fine Arts Association started in 1961. Their goal was to restore the Opera House over the next ten years.
In 1972, the city called the Opera House a "landmark." The Woodstock Opera House Community Center, Inc. was formed. This group raised money for a big restoration project. The Opera House closed for two years of repair work. It reopened in February 1977. It was then called the Woodstock Opera House Community Center.
More restoration projects happened over the next 20 years. The Opera House was fully restored in 1999. This was when the front Portico was added.
The City of Woodstock and local people still own and take care of the building. It has old furniture, stained glass windows, and tin ceilings. You can also see original wood and hand-drawn decorations.
In 2003, a new annex was built next to the Opera House. This addition made it easier for people with disabilities to reach the stage. It also added a freight elevator and more backstage areas. Offices and the Stage Left Café were also included.
The Orson Welles Stage was officially named on February 10, 2013. This honored the place where Welles first directed a professional play in America.
Current Operations
The Woodstock Opera House hosts many different events each year. These include concerts, plays, dance shows, and art exhibits. It also offers educational programs, lectures, and meetings. The Opera House is on the historic square in downtown Woodstock. It is one of the oldest theaters in the country that is still open.
The Opera House is a modern theater. But it still keeps its historical charm. It has up-to-date sound, lighting, and stage equipment. It also has modern heating and air-conditioning. The City of Woodstock owns and runs it.
Featured in Film
The Opera House was shown in the movie Groundhog Day. This movie was mostly filmed in Woodstock. In the film, the Opera House was used as "The Pennsylvanian Hotel."
See also
- Woodstock Mozart Festival
