9 Historic Theaters In Ohio Still In Use

Ohio’s landscape is dotted with grand old theaters that have stood the test of time. These architectural gems continue to bring entertainment to communities across the state, just as they did nearly a century ago. From ornate movie palaces to intimate performance spaces, these nine historic theaters in Ohio offer a glimpse into the past while still serving as vital cultural centers today.

1. Akron Civic Theatre: Eberson’s Moorish Castle

Walking into the Akron Civic feels like entering an exotic Moorish castle under Mediterranean skies. As one of only five remaining atmospheric theaters designed by John Eberson in the United States, this 1929 masterpiece represents a vanishing architectural tradition.

Originally opened as Loew’s Theatre, the venue once seated 3,000 moviegoers beneath its twinkling starlit ceiling. The ornate details – including fountains, statues, and twisted columns – create a fantasy environment that modern theaters simply cannot replicate.

2. Drexel Theatre: Bexley’s Christmas Gift

Opening its doors on Christmas Day 1937, the Drexel Theatre has been Bexley’s cultural cornerstone for generations. What began as a single-screen venue has evolved into a three-screen cinema without losing its historic charm.

The theater’s distinctive art deco facade still catches the eye of passersby, just as it did during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Despite modern renovations, the Drexel maintains its vintage atmosphere while screening independent and international films that you won’t find at typical multiplexes.

3. Lorain Palace Theatre: A Renaissance Revival Masterpiece

Standing proudly since 1928, the Lorain Palace Theatre boasts an Italian Renaissance Revival auditorium that transports visitors to another era. Its Venetian Gothic lobby features intricate plasterwork and ornate details that craftsmen today would struggle to replicate.

Musical performances gain magical dimension thanks to the theater’s prized Wurlitzer pipe organ. As one of only three such instruments in Ohio still playing in their original locations, this musical marvel connects audiences to the theater’s storied past.

4. Midland Theatre: Newark’s Performance Powerhouse

The roaring twenties left Newark with an architectural treasure when the Midland Theatre opened its doors in 1928. After decades of various uses and a period of abandonment, a community-driven restoration returned this gem to its former glory in 2000.

Today’s visitors marvel at the Spanish-inspired interior with its intricate moldings and warm color palette. The theater’s exceptional acoustics make it perfect for everything from symphony orchestras to rock concerts, drawing performers who appreciate its technical quality and historic ambiance.

5. Emery Theatre: Cincinnati’s Acoustic Marvel

Hidden in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, the Emery Theatre opened in 1911 as one of America’s acoustic treasures. The legendary conductor Leopold Stokowski once declared its sound quality equal to Carnegie Hall and Boston’s Symphony Hall – high praise indeed!

The theater’s innovative “fan-shaped” auditorium design eliminates bad seats and creates perfect sound distribution throughout the space. Though it has weathered periods of closure, preservation efforts continue for this architectural gem that has hosted luminaries from George Gershwin to Martha Graham throughout its storied history.

6. Connor Palace: Cleveland’s Playhouse Square Anchor

Gilded elegance defines the Connor Palace, originally opened in 1922 as the flagship of Cleveland’s theatrical district. Marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and intricate plasterwork showcase the craftsmanship of another era when no expense was spared to create theatrical magic.

As part of the largest performing arts center in America outside of New York, the Connor Palace anchors Cleveland’s cultural renaissance. Broadway touring productions fill its 2,800 seats today, continuing a tradition of top-tier entertainment that has defined this space for a century.

7. Renaissance Theatre: Mansfield’s Entertainment Landmark

When the Renaissance (originally the Ohio Theatre) opened its doors in 1928, it became the crown jewel of Mansfield’s entertainment scene. The Spanish-inspired architecture features decorative tiles, wrought iron fixtures, and arched doorways that transport visitors to another time and place.

As the only large theater in North Central Ohio, the Renaissance serves as a regional cultural hub. From symphony performances to comedy shows and classic film screenings, the venue maintains its relevance while honoring its architectural heritage.

8. Canton Palace Theatre: John Eberson’s Atmospheric Wonder

Step into the Canton Palace and you’re immediately transported to a Mediterranean courtyard under a star-filled night sky. Designed by legendary theater architect John Eberson in 1926, this atmospheric theater creates the illusion of sitting outdoors in a European village.

The Kilgen theater organ, fully restored in 1992, fills the space with rich sounds that early moviegoers would recognize. Cloud projections still drift across the midnight-blue ceiling, maintaining the magical environment that has enchanted visitors for nearly a century.

9. Marion Palace Theatre: Small Town Theatrical Splendor

Marion might seem an unlikely location for one of Ohio’s most beautiful theaters, but the Palace has been dazzling visitors since 1928. The atmospheric design creates the illusion of sitting in a Spanish courtyard, complete with twinkling stars and projected clouds drifting across the ceiling.

Community support saved this gem from demolition in the 1970s, preserving its Wurlitzer organ and ornate detailing. Today the Palace hosts everything from touring Broadway shows to local dance recitals, serving as both a performing arts center and beloved movie house for generations of Marion residents.