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Englert Theatre
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The Englert Theatre in 1912 before the 1913 fire
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| Location: | 221 East Washington St., Iowa City, Iowa |
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| Built: | 1912 |
| Architect: | Vorse, Kraitsch, & Kraitsch, Wiley & Son |
| Architectural style: | Renaissance, Tudor Revival |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 01000911[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | 2001 |
The Englert Theatre in Iowa City, Iowa opened in 1912 when William Englert and his wife bought the former livery stable and turned it into a unique entertainment spot. At its opening the Theatre seated 1079 people and college students flocked in to the only theatre of its kind in Iowa City.The Englert Theatre is a historic home for the arts in the heart of downtown Iowa City. This 725-seat non-profit venue presents a wide variety of performances each year, including live music, theatre, dance, comedy, lectures and more. Nationally known touring artists as well as local artists and community performing organizations all are featured on the Englert’s stage.[2]
The mission of the Englert Theatre is to own, maintain and operate the Englert Theatre as a community arts center and performance space, enhancing the vitality of Iowa City's historic down town by preserving its last historic theater.[3]
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Upon its opening the local newspaper applauded the theatre saying: “The theatrical world has seen beauty knocking at its doors, and received a royal welcome. W. H. Englert has evidenced his wideawake uptodateness, by erecting a 20th century playhouse bearing his name, to be dedicated during the current week. Iowa has nothing finer, size considered” (Iowa City Daily Press. Sept. 23, 1912).[3]
Just ten years after the opening of the theatre a massive fire almost destroyed the entire building.[4] The cost of damages totaled over $125,000, however the owners of the building immediately planned to rebuild. The Englert remained in Iowa City until 1999 when the owners decided to sell the old building. The Englert was purchased by a well-known bar owner and the public began the "Save the Englert" project.[5] Eventually enough money was raised and the Englert was refurnished and is in operation to this day.
Vaudeville acts were the main source of entertainment as they swung through the city on tours of the country. Since re-opening the theatre has worked to keep the venue full even embarking on a deal in 2004 with the University of Iowa for as many as 40 nights per year.[6] The space has also been host to several well-known groups and performers have visited the theatre including: The Second City, Greg Brown, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Paula Poundstone and many other acts as well. The theatre is also the primary venue for the Landlocked Film Festival.[7]