Yam Theater
121 S. Main Avenue,
Portales,
NM
88130
121 S. Main Avenue,
Portales,
NM
88130
No one has favorited this theater yet
Originally opened in 1932. The long-closed Yam Theater on Portales' Main Avenue (formerly Main Street) was given a $1 million renovation between 2006 and 2011, transforming the building into a community arts center. Any further information on the Yam Theater would be appreciated.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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 7 comments)
Listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s:1941 and 1943 editions with a seating capacity of 402. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is 530 and the address is given as; 121 S.E. Main Street (now known as S. Main Avenue).
It shows vary little, but a small photo on this page gives a partial glimpse of the Yam Theatre in its current state.
“In 1932, the YAM Movie Palace opened at the site of the former Portola Theater, taking its name from the major agricultural crop produced in Roosevelt County at that time, sweet potatoes. This link has some history and a 1932 photo of the Yam Theater.
I was a drama student at ENMU in Portales in 1955-1958. Our school theatre was being remodeled, so we were given an abandoned movie theatre to fix up and use for plays. The Yam was in operation on the town square. Our theatre was on a side street. It was across from Bingham’s Photo and Record Shop. We produced “The Lady’s Not For Burning” and “Family Portrait” and “Right You are If You think You Are” there. Does anyone know anything about this theatre?
About halfway down THIS page is a current view of the auditorium of the Yam Theater.
At the 1:10 spot of this video is the current exterior of the Yam Theater. Pops up in new window.
View link