This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in February 2025. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at:  View from the side of the balcony. The Sampson Theatre in Penn Yan, New York originally opened on October 12, 1910. Built by local benefactor Dr. Frank Sampson, it was designed as a vaudeville house and entertainment venue.

Image Courtesy of the Obama Presidential Library When I first photographed historic theaters, I learned that much of their power comes from what we don’t see — the rooms behind the walls, the quiet rituals that make them more than just places to sit and watch a screen. The White House Family Theater was one of those spaces.

This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in January 2025. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at:  Shea’s Theater, located in the heart of Downtown Ashtabula, Ohio, opened its doors in 1949 during the height of the city’s industrial boom. Designed by Michael J. DeAngelis in the Streamline Moderne style, the theater was a $1 million investment by M.A.

This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in January 2025. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: The Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, opened on October 17, 1925, as a venue for vaudeville acts and movies, with a premiere of Universal’s What Happened to Jones…

This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in December 2024. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: The Highland Theatre, located in Highland Park, Los Angeles, was designed by prominent theater architect Lewis A. Smith. Renowned for its Moorish-style interior, it opened on March 5, 1925, with a special appearance by actress Norma Shearer and the premiere of the film Lady of the Night.

This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in December 2024. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: The Glove Theatre opened on October 9, 1914, as an 800-seat venue for live performances, vaudeville, and community events. Designed by architect Linn Kinne in the Classical Revival style, it quickly became a cultural hub in Gloversville, New York.

This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in February 2025. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at:  The Loew’s Gates Theatre in Brooklyn, NY

This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in January 2025. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: The Berry Theater, originally known as the White Theater after its owner, M.S. White, was located in Fort Worth, Texas at the intersection of W. Berry and Hemphill Streets.

View from the center of the balcony. The Grand Theatre at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College opened in 1927 as part of the Los Angeles Polytechnic High School campus. Designed by A.C. Martin & Associates, the 30,000-square-foot auditorium featured a stenciled ceiling, original light fixtures, and a painted fire curtain showing Arrowhead Peak. After the high school relocated, the theater was absorbed into LATTC and used for student productions, lectures, and campus events.