The Kessler Theater is a historic live music venue located in the neighborhood of

Oak Cliff Oak Cliff is a neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, that was formerly a separate town in Dallas County; Dallas annexed Oak Cliff in 1901. It has since retained a distinct neighborhood identity as one of Dallas' older established neighborhoods. Oak C ...

Dallas, Texas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County ...

. Originally constructed in 1941, the theatre has a rich history intertwined with the city.

History

The Kessler Theater was designed by renowned Dallas architect

George Dahl George Leighton Dahl (May 11, 1894 – July 18, 1987) was a prominent American architect based in Dallas, Texas during the 20th century. His most notable contributions include the Art Deco structures of Fair Park while he oversaw planning and con ...

and built in the

Art Deco Art Deco, short for the French ''Arts Décoratifs'', and sometimes just called Deco, is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in France in the 1910s (just before World War I), and flourished in the Unite ...

style. It initially served as a neighborhood movie house, providing entertainment to residents of Oak Cliff and surrounding areas. Gene Autry, who owned several theaters in Oak Cliff, bought it in 1945. A tornado hit the building in 1957, and a fire around 1960 put the theater out of commission. In 2010, the theatre underwent a major renovation led by preservationist Edwin Cabaniss and musician Jeff Liles, with the goal of restoring its original condition and transforming it into a live music venue. The renovation project received widespread community support and funding from various sources, including private donors and government grants.

Architecture

The Kessler Theater has Art Deco architecture, featuring a distinctive marquee, intricate detailing, and an auditorium with a capacity of approximately 400 guests. The interior displays original elements such as ornate moldings, vibrant murals, and a grand stage adorned with velvet curtains.

References

{{coord, 32.7493, -96.8425, type:landmark_region:US-TX, display=title Theatre in Dallas Buildings and structures in Dallas Music venues completed in 1940 Concert halls in Dallas Music venues in Dallas