The Granada Theatre is a

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...

located in Emporia, Kansas, United States. It was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

in 1985 and was designed by the

Boller Brothers Boller Brothers, often written Boller Bros., was an architectural firm based in Kansas City, Missouri which specialized in theater design in the Midwestern United States during the first half of the 20th century. Carl Heinrich Boller (1868–194 ...

History

The Granada Theatre was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $350,000 ($ in dollars). The theatre was dedicated on October 3, 1929, in a speech by “The Sage of Emporia,”

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. During its early years, the theatre attracted many famous performers. In addition to screening movies, it was used for everything from beauty contests to traveling vaudeville acts. It was leased for many years to the

Fox Corporation Fox Corporation (stylized in all-caps as FOX Corporation) is a publicly traded American mass media company operated and controlled by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and headquartered at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New York City. Incorporated ...

and became known as the Fox Theatre. Architect Robert O. Boller, of

, Architects, designed the Granada Theatre. Boller Brothers were nationally known theatre designers with offices in Kansas City and

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

. Like many grand old movie palaces of its era, the Granada's popularity declined during the 1960s and 70s. During this period, the building suffered from neglect and damage resulting from a leaking roof. It was closed in 1982. In April 1985, the theatre was placed on the

, but, it was not until demolition threatened the building in 1994 that a group of citizens rallied to save the theatre. In cooperation with the Kansas Preservation Alliance, the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance was formed and acquired the building, saving it from destruction. Since then, the Alliance members and numerous volunteers have spent countless hours stabilizing and renovating the outside of the building and preparing for the interior phase of the project. Working cooperatively with other local arts, cultural and tourism organizations, the Alliance has developed a plan to make the Granada Theatre a keystone facility – a place that builds community.

Board of directors

When the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance bought the Granada Theatre in 1994, they set up a Board of Directors to oversee everything done at the theatre. They raised money for renovating the theatre, as well. The Director of the Granada Theatre, Brian Williams, also reports to them. ''Executive Members:'' * Kristi Henrikson-Mohn, President * Gary Andrews, Vice-President * Harry Stephens, Past-President * Janis Meyer, Treasurer * Mary Sue Wade, Secretary * Sarah Harbaugh, Executive at Large * Brad Harzman, Executive at Large ''Full Board Membership:'' * Sue Blechl * Scott Bolley * Dr. William H. Clamurro * Tyler Curtis * Mary Downing * Staci Hammon * Rachel LeClear * Roy Mann * Janet Miley * Janelle North * Paula Sauder * Dave Stormont * Beth Thomas * Tom Thompson * Marge Trayer * Jan Traylor * Mike TurnBull * Norma Watson

Notable performances

* Joseph Hall, Top 10 finalist of

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* Oak Ridge Boys *

The Bellamy Brothers The Bellamy Brothers are an American pop and country music duo consisting of brothers David Milton Bellamy (born September 16, 1950) and Homer Howard Bellamy (born February 2, 1946), from Dade City, Florida. The duo had considerable musical succ ...

* Kelley Hunt *

Granger Smith Granger Kelly Smith (born September 4, 1979), also known by his alter ego, Earl Dibbles Jr., is an American country music singer-songwriter and radio host. He has released eleven studio albums, one live album, and two EPs. He scored his first n ...

(a.k.a. Earl Dibbles, Jr.) *

Juice Newton Judith Kay "Juice" Newton (born February 18, 1952) is an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician. Newton has received five Grammy Award nominations in the Pop and Country Best Female Vocalist categorieswinning once in 1983as well ...

& Exile *

Joe Diffie Joe Logan Diffie (December 28, 1958 – March 29, 2020) was an American country music singer and songwriter. After working as a demo (music), demo singer in the mid 1980s, he signed with Epic Records' Nashville division in 1990. Between then and ...

* Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives *

Lorrie Morgan Loretta Lynn Morgan (born June 27, 1959) is an American country music singer and actress. She is the daughter of George Morgan, widow of Keith Whitley, and ex-wife of Jon Randall and Sammy Kershaw, all of whom are also country music singers. Mor ...

Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to th ...

Wynonna Judd Wynonna Ellen Judd or simply Wynonna ( ; born Christina Claire Ciminella; May 30, 1964) is an American country music singer. She is one of the most widely recognized and awarded female country singers. In all, she has had 19 No. 1 singles, incl ...

Lita Ford Lita Rossana Ford (born 19 September 1958) is an English-born American guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. She was the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band the Runaways in the late 1970s, before embarking on a successful glam metal sol ...

References

External links

Official website
{{National Register of Historic Places Theatres completed in 1929 Buildings and structures in Lyon County, Kansas Emporia, Kansas Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Kansas National Register of Historic Places in Lyon County, Kansas