Opera Houses in Rural America
In the late 1800s, rail lines were expanding across rural America, and energetic communities were building up around them. Many new small towns aimed to capitalize on the iron-linked connection to the outside world with the railroads bringing supplies, potential settlers …. and entertainment! Traveling theater companies and entertainers would travel via trains and present vaudeville acts, concerts and other performances in the towns serviced by the railroads.
"Theaters had been considered sinful places ... so, although these opera houses were really theaters, calling them opera houses made them appear high class and kept the bluenoses from attacking them," says Kansas playwright and actor Phil Grecian.
Small town opera houses were constructed to operate as theatrical venues hosting touring productions, but for many it was a neutral turf for the community. Many times, Opera Houses provided a venue for political rallies, church services, livestock shows, dances, high school basketball games, auctions and even skating rinks. When “talking pictures” arrived, many Opera Houses transitioned into movie palaces; however, with the introduction of the automobile, people could then travel to larger towns leaving many local Opera Houses to be closed and torn down.
Of the roughly 900 Opera Houses that once existed in Kansas, there are only around 200 still standing today. Nonetheless, due to the efforts of local volunteers who are proud of their communities and love the history of the landmark theaters, many of the Opera Houses are coming back to life.
"People love to see the old buildings and want to see them used; [they] hate seeing them sit empty. They are proud of their communities and their history. And they want landmarks of the community that they can continue to be proud of."
Melissa Swenson, Director, Brown Grand Historic Opera House, Concordia, Kansas.