The Houston Majestic was the first fully atmospheric theater, however, John Eberson’s first partial or prototype atmospheric theatre was the Indiana Theatre in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Indiana Theatre’s construction started before the Wichita Orpheum and was completed 8 months before the Orpheum. Excavation for the Orpheum didn’t begin until July 28, 1921, whereas construction of the Indiana Theatre had began in February 1921, if not earlier. The Indiana opened January 28, 1922 while the Orpheum followed later that year on September 4. Many elements that were first used by Eberson in the Indiana were copied verbatim in his later theaters.
The Houston Majestic was the first fully atmospheric theater, however, John Eberson’s first partial or prototype atmospheric theatre was the Indiana Theatre in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Indiana Theatre’s construction started before the Wichita Orpheum and was completed 8 months before the Orpheum. Excavation for the Orpheum didn’t begin until July 28, 1921, whereas construction of the Indiana Theatre had began in February 1921, if not earlier. The Indiana opened January 28, 1922 while the Orpheum followed later that year on September 4. Many elements that were first used by Eberson in the Indiana were copied verbatim in his later theaters.