Gillioz Theatre
325 Park Central E,
Springfield,
MO
65806
325 Park Central E,
Springfield,
MO
65806
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Showing 26 - 33 of 33 comments
It might be a move-over theatre for the Moxie as well as a theatre for the performing arts.
If you click on the official Gillioz Theatre web site listed in the description, you’ll see that the front entrance was recessed with a free-standing ticket booth. The photo above is obviously a temporary wall with a utilitarian door. Like the type of thing you’d see at a construction site.
Yes, it really is that narrow. The auditorium itself is on the back side of the block. It’s just east of the square. The former Fox Theatre (actually on the square, and now a church) in Springfield is the same way. The Fox theatre in Joplin, Mo is similar, with an enclosed “bridge” connecting the lobby on Main street to the auditorium on the other side of an alley.
Is that a really narrow front entrance for an 1100-seat theater, or does the photo just make it look that way?
Tour of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas Theatres in 2004
From June 26 through July 1, 2004 the Theatre Historical Society of America will tour a number of theatres in Kansas City Missouri and surrounding areas, including theatres in Lamar, Joplin, Richmond, St. Joseph and Springfield, MO, as well as Miami, OK, and these cities in Kansas: Leavenworth, Kansas City, Emporia, El Dorado, Augusta, Wichita, Hutchinson, McPherson, Salina, Concordia, and Topeka. More information is contained on their web site: http://www.HistoricTheatres.org and special photos and information concerning the Kansas City theatres: UPTOWN and the MIDLAND is available on this temporary page of their site at: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/fromarch.html A glossy brochure about this “Heart of America” Conclave is available from the Society’s headquarters listed on their homepage, via E-mail to the Ex. Director, or via snail mail. Membership in the Society is not required to attend the Conclave and tour the theatres, but fees do apply as detailed on their site. Bring your camera and lots of film, for it is usually difficult or impossible to enter these theatres for photos, and some of them will surely not be with us in the years to come.
The last chain that operated the Gillioz was Dickinson Theatres; I believe its style could have considered “art deco” or perhaps “classic”?? If anyone knows of someone in the SW MO area who might want to donate to this restoration – please, let me know!
Has anyone else applied for the “digital film equipment” donation from LHAT and Emerging Pictures (NY)? I am on the advisory board for the Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, MO., and submitted an application. I was just curious to know if anyone has applied and/or actually received anything?
It’s different the architect named the theater after him, makes me wanna become an architect!