Center Theatre
3504 Center Street,
Omaha,
NE
68105
3504 Center Street,
Omaha,
NE
68105
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Additional Info
Architects: Henry A. Raapke
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Omaha Junior Theatre, Emmy Gifford Children's Theatre
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News About This Theater
- Jan 11, 2014 — Omaha World Herald photos
The Center Theatre was opened on March 15, 1951. From 1972 it operated as a children’s theatre named Omaha Junior Theatre. In 1981 it was renamed Emmy Gifford Children’s Theatre and in 1993, they changed their name to the Omaha Theatre Company and moved to the former Astro Theatre, which is now known as The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center.
The Gifford installed reclining seats in this theatre. The crenulation ornamentation appears to have been added by the company.
Following closure it housed Collector’s Choice, an estate/consignment sales service. By 2022 it was vacant.
Contributed by
Torsten Adair
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Just passed this theatre the other day. Told my wife that has to be a theatre at one time.Came here and found out i was right.
This opened on March 14th, 1951 and the listings in the paper stopped in 1981. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
Lots of memories of this theater from the 70’s. The Poseidon Adventure, American Graffiti, etc. I believe the owner was the man who took the tickets. He wore a red blazer, white shirt, & black bow tie. He was the nicest man, treated customers like royalty. Something no one does these days.
In 1976, the closed Center Theater was expanded on its west side, and it was renamed the Omaha Junior Theater. This organization which produced stage plays by young people was founded 1949, by Emmy Gifford who was a patroness of the arts. In 1981, the Omaha Junior Theater was renamed the Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater. The children’s theater program moved to the Astro (today, The Rose) Theater in 1993. (Image added)
Currently vacant, boarded up.