Cameo Theatre
1015 E. Colonial Drive,
Orlando,
FL
32803
1015 E. Colonial Drive,
Orlando,
FL
32803
2 people
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The Cameo Theatre opened on Christmas Day, 1940. It was a latecomer in Orlando’s theatres, and was located just a block west of the Vogue Theatre. Open for only a few years (maybe less than five), the Cameo Theatre sat abandoned for years, save for an occasional booking by a evangelical group. The building was remodeled and occupied for years by IBM. Since then it has had many occupants, and has often been vacant. The marquee still stands.
In October 2008, it was in use as a live performance theatre, but had closed by Summer of 2009. By early-2010, it had reopened and was available ‘For Rent’, and several groups have regular performances, primarily live music.
Contributed by
Irv Lipscomb
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
I’ll be interested to see what you come up with, The Angus. When I was a kid, I always wanted to go in and explore the Cameo. Our parents would sometimes drop us off at the Vogue, and afterwards, it was understood that they would pick us up at the Cameo. This was so we could peer in the windows and try to get some idea of what the theatre was like inside.
I was finally able to enter the Cameo Theatre building last Sunday (Feb. 17). An art show enterprise had rented the space for the weekend, and the staff permitted me to look around. The only evidence I could find that would indicate a theatre once was here were decorative side panels that had a downward thrust. They were apparently created to enhance the slanted floor that once existed. Otherwise, there was only a big open space on the first floor, and the second floor contained only small office spaces.
Here’s a photo: http://flickr.com/photos/retrojason/2704753397/
The Cameo is open again, this time as a live theatre venue. The Greater Orlando Actors Theatre has acquired the building, and is presenting “A Streetcar Named Desire” as its first production.
Here is the Actor’s Theater website:
http://www.goatgroup.com/
I regret to announce that the Greater Orlando Actors Theatre has moved its performance space to a warehouse building in Winter Park. Unfortunately, the Cameo’s status will have to be changed to closed.
The July 5, 1941, issue of Boxoffice mentioned the Cameo as one of several theaters opened in recent months by the Florida State Circuit.
The January 18, 1947, issue of Boxoffice ran this item datelined Orlando: “The Cameo Theatre in Colonialtown, closed during the war years, has been reopened. The theatre is booked to show return engagements.”
Those are the only mentions of the Cameo I’ve been able to find in Boxoffice.
Thank you for digging up some history I hadn’t located, Joe. Does anyone else know additional information about the Cameo?
The Cameo is open but not with The Greater Orlando Actors Theatre. They were using the space not running it. There are many users of the space including live music, comedy, theater, dance, art openings or just plain birthday parties. They are currently working with the space and trying to grow it again. True direction unknown. Currently including: MegaloMusic www.myspace.com/megalomusicevents ( a live music production company) which has shows many weekend nights a month, Hump Day Humor a comedy act on Wed. nights. Many events happen here every month including upcoming “Vibe” event (this weekend) and ELLA Music Fest Oct. 1-4 www.ellamusicfest.org
There is a Downtown revitalization by the city in this area spear headed by Mills 50. www.mills50.org
The Cameo Theater current active website www.thecameo.org
Here is my picture from November 2011. The building is currently on the market.