Sliman Theater for the Performing Arts
129 E. Main Street,
New Iberia,
LA
70560
129 E. Main Street,
New Iberia,
LA
70560
1 person
favorited this theater
The 600-seat Evangeline Theater on Main Street, New Iberia was donated to the city in 1994 after its days as a movie house had ended by its owners, the Sliman family.
The Evangeline Theater was restored to its original Art Deco style appearance in 1997 and reopened in 1998 as the Sliman Theater for the Performing Arts. The theater is home to the Louisiana Crossroads concert series, which is presented by the Arcadiana Arts Council.
Contributed by
Bryan
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
A recent 2007 photo can be seen here.
This is another recent photo.
The Sliman family donated this theater to the City of New Iberia in 1994. State Representative Bo Ackal initiated efforts to acquire funding to preserve this “Art Deco” gem and restore it to its useful purpose for the community. As a result of these efforts, the City received a State Capital Outlay Grant in 1995 for the proposed project and work began in 1997. The doors of The Sliman Theater for Performing Arts opened in 1998, since then the theater has established itself as a quality venue for performance art.
It’s nice to see that some people still donate to worthy causes. Now the city has a live venue for generations to come if they can maintain it.
1980 photo of the Evangeline Theatre.
View link
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999
Evangeline Theater ** (added 1999 – Building – #99000234)
Also known as Sliman Theatre for the Performing Arts
129 E. Main St., New Iberia
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Bowen, William
Architectural Style: Modern Movement
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater
Another 2006 photo of the Evangeline Theatre.
View link
2009 photo of the Evangeline.
View link
Some history from this website:
http://www.cityofnewiberia.com/site402.php
The Evangeline Theater started its life as a wholesale grocery building in the late nineteenth or twentieth century. Remodeled for a movie house in 1929, the building gained its current Art Deco façade and other characteristics during a 1939/40 renovation. The two story brick building’s façade is clad in stucco and pigmented structural glass.
More photos of the Evangeline Theatre.
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
The tall blade sign of this theater is prominently featured in the opening scenes of the 2009 film “In the Electric Mist.”