Miller Theatre

708 Broad Street,
Augusta, GA 30901

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Miller Theatre

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The Miller Theatre, designed in Art Moderne style, complete with a glass block facade and circular neon marquee, opened in 1938. It was designed by architect Roy A. Benjamin, whose other notable theaters include the San Marco Theatre and Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Marion Theatre in Ocala, Florida.

In 1957, the world premiere of the movie “The Three Faces of Eve” starring Joanne Woodward, a Georgia native, took place at the Miller Theatre. The two psychiatrists who wrote the book on which the film was based were from Augusta.

The theater closed in 1983, but is currently in the midst of a restoration project.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 193 comments)

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on October 22, 2011 at 2:41 pm

Henry, Michael Deas is on Facebook, he is taking care of the theatre .i know he would be glad to talk about the MILLER.

mdeas19652
mdeas19652 on October 23, 2011 at 7:11 pm

IMO, the best solution for the Miller is to knock out the back wall and extend the stage back. For many reasons – 1) preserve 1500 seat capacity 2) add more dressing rooms downstairs 3) add more restrooms downstairs 4) create new load in door which will keep 18 wheelers from completely blocking Ellis Street.

HenrySchmidt
HenrySchmidt on October 24, 2011 at 10:16 am

Amen! This makes a lot more sense than an enlarged stage intruding itself into the house, which IMO would destroy the unique character of the Miller that we all admire. It would preserve the pit elevator, a rarity in any but the most elaborate production houses, while providing the opportunity to rebuild and re-equip the stage, backstage, and wing space, bringing them up to modern standards. IIRC, there is empty land behind the stage house; wonder what the ownership situation is?

rnordan
rnordan on October 29, 2011 at 6:40 pm

Give it to Mike Deas and Augusta Amusements. He will maintain its' historical integrity and work well with area arts groups.

Cajun
Cajun on October 30, 2011 at 6:42 am

Is the old Bell Auditorium, built around the same time as the Miller, still open for public events?

rnordan
rnordan on October 30, 2011 at 10:24 am

Cajun, The Bell Auditorium was built as a WPA project post-depression era, with federal money and next to free labor. Yes it is still open, but pretty much a dump. The Miller opened in 1940 with private sector money, with smart business people at the helm. The eonconmy of the 1960s & 1980’s pretty much did the Miller in. But the building, now stabilized by the efforts of Peter Knox IV, is structurally very sound. It just requires some additional work to get it up and running again. We will see what happens.

Cajun
Cajun on October 30, 2011 at 11:10 am

Mordan, Thanks for update. I grew up in Augusta and went to all the old downtown theaters(Miller, Imperial, Rialto, Modjeska) as well as the auditorium. In fact my 1958 high school graduation from Richmond Academy was held at Bell Auditorium

JackOberleitner
JackOberleitner on October 30, 2011 at 2:24 pm

We specialize in this type of project and group. Please visit our website, www.cinema-consultant.com , for complete details. Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consulting.

rlausche
rlausche on November 6, 2011 at 2:59 pm

I went to this theater in the summer and fall of 1965. I was station at Ft Gordon. It was nice to go to. Made me forget about the army for a few hours. Was a beautiful cinema.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on December 21, 2011 at 5:12 pm

It was Augusta’s Largest,if they expand stage, which they will have to do, they figure to lose about 500 seats.Right now there are NO seats on the bottom only the balcony.

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