McPherson Opera House

==McPherson Opera House== The '''McPherson Opera House''' is a historic performance venue and event rental facility located in McPherson, Kansas, known for blending 21st-century amenities with 19th-century charm. With an intimate 500-seat auditorium, it fosters a powerful connection between the audience and performers, enhancing the experience for both. The venue offers a diverse mix of live events, movies, and special events throughout its performance season, catering to a wide range of tastes. Additionally, the Opera House provides a variety of rental spaces, including the auditorium, ballroom, CHS room, Rose Morris room, and Mary Anderson Arts Center, which are praised for their historical beauty and modern functionality. ===Mission=== The McPherson Opera House Company, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, aims to establish the McPherson Opera House as a significant cultural, entertainment, and educational gathering place. Governed by a 15-person volunteer board, the organization was initially founded in 1986 as the McPherson Opera House Preservation Company with the goal of saving the building from demolition. ===History=== The history of the McPherson Opera House dates back to 1888 when a group of visionary men formed a stock company to build one of the first opera houses equipped with electricity. The venue quickly became the cultural center of the county, hosting a variety of performances, political rallies, suffrage meetings, and local events. In 1913, the Opera House underwent a significant remodel, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and functionality. However, with the rise of movies and radio in the 1920s, the Opera House faced competition that led to its transformation into the Empire movie theater in 1929. The building continued to serve as a movie theater, known as the Mac Theater, through the mid-20th century, creating lasting memories for the community. However, by the 1980s, the Opera House had fallen into disrepair and was at risk of demolition. The McPherson Opera House Preservation Company was formed in 1986 to save the building and restore it for community use. Against all odds, the early supporters worked tirelessly to rehabilitate the Opera House, culminating in an $8.5 million project. The west commercial portion reopened in February 2007, and the auditorium had its Grand Reopening on January 28, 2010, exactly 121 years after the original opening. Funding for the project came from individual donors, foundations, government and private grants, and state and federal rehabilitation tax credits. The McPherson Opera House has since received numerous awards for architectural excellence and is celebrated for its acoustics, intimate performances, and the quality of its rental spaces. ==Contact Information== For more information or to get involved with the McPherson Opera House, interested parties can reach out to the staff, including the Executive Director, Karissa Hoffman, and the Producing Director, Jordan Bandy. The organization also encourages community members to support the Opera House through membership, donations, volunteering, and sponsorship opportunities. ==External Links== * [Official Website] * [Event Schedule] * [Rental Facilities] * [Support the McPherson Opera House] [[Category:Opera houses in Kansas]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in McPherson County, Kansas]] [[Category:Event venues established in 1889]] [[Category:1889 establishments in Kansas]]