Empress Theatre
Woodward Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48226
Woodward Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48226
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The Empress Theatre operated as a movie theatre by John Kunsky in around 1910. It was a burlesque theatre in the 1950’s.
It had a band shell and large velvet drapes that drapped the stage. The seating was typical theater seating. The ladies would get ready in the basement which had several make up stations. The back door opened to the alley.
Contributed by
Wynne Winslow
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
According to this site the Empress was located near Woodward Avenue & Congress Street.
The Empress is listed in 1935 as closed with 300 seats. Location given is Woodward Avenue.
Here is a photo of the Empress as a Burlesk theater. Adult films were being shown at that time.
An undated postcard or the Detroit Red Cross on parade along with a partial view of the Empress Theatre.
my mother worked here at the empress and was managed by a person that went by the name of shiek according to ALOT of family members he is my father does anyone have any info to help me on my search I was born in 1960 please if u have any info share thank you
reva..I worked there also .Shiek was our stage hand.He controled all the music & curtains.He also rented rooms out to some of the girls & let some room for free when down on their luck.Hope to hear back from you.
Now that reads a bit weird..lol..I meant to add plus Shiek also rented to male entertainers.Could someone please post info as to how I reach Reva ? I know a woman in Toledo who knew Shiek well. Thanks