Matt Lambros
@mattlambros.bsky.social
I spend a lot of time in abandoned theaters and eating barbecue. Not at the same time. That would be weird.
https://linktr.ee/Mattlambros
https://linktr.ee/Mattlambros
I’ve been photographing the Victory Theatre in Holyoke MA for fifteen years. The first shot goes back to my first visit, right after I moved an 1860s prospector out of my frame. The seats are gone and the brickwork has been repaired. Things are finally happening.
November 25, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I’ve been photographing the Victory Theatre in Holyoke MA for fifteen years. The first shot goes back to my first visit, right after I moved an 1860s prospector out of my frame. The seats are gone and the brickwork has been repaired. Things are finally happening.
The Rialto Theatre opened in 1925 with What Happened to Jones and a live orchestra. It closed in 2007 with The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Now it’s back as a church—but like any good Hollywood remake, it’s lost a bit of its soul in the process.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/09/17/r...
Now it’s back as a church—but like any good Hollywood remake, it’s lost a bit of its soul in the process.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/09/17/r...
October 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The Rialto Theatre opened in 1925 with What Happened to Jones and a live orchestra. It closed in 2007 with The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Now it’s back as a church—but like any good Hollywood remake, it’s lost a bit of its soul in the process.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/09/17/r...
Now it’s back as a church—but like any good Hollywood remake, it’s lost a bit of its soul in the process.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/09/17/r...
I photographed the Highland Park Theatre in Los Angeles a few times. The theater closed a few years ago, but it recently showed up as a filming location for the Once Upon a Time in Los Angeles spin-off.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/08/19/h...
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/08/19/h...
September 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I photographed the Highland Park Theatre in Los Angeles a few times. The theater closed a few years ago, but it recently showed up as a filming location for the Once Upon a Time in Los Angeles spin-off.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/08/19/h...
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/08/19/h...
Theater Lobby, before it got covered in tags — not the good kind of graffiti, just the lazy kind. USA.
August 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Theater Lobby, before it got covered in tags — not the good kind of graffiti, just the lazy kind. USA.
If someone was born when I took the first photo, they’d be in high school by the second. Sadly, the Lafayette mural on the proscenium arch is fading fast. Hopefully it isn’t too late to save it.
August 19, 2025 at 1:47 PM
If someone was born when I took the first photo, they’d be in high school by the second. Sadly, the Lafayette mural on the proscenium arch is fading fast. Hopefully it isn’t too late to save it.
Another stop from last month’s THS Conclave: the Boston Opera House. Despite the name, it hasn’t hosted an opera since the 1990s.
Today it’s home to the Boston Ballet and Broadway Across America.
Today it’s home to the Boston Ballet and Broadway Across America.
July 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Another stop from last month’s THS Conclave: the Boston Opera House. Despite the name, it hasn’t hosted an opera since the 1990s.
Today it’s home to the Boston Ballet and Broadway Across America.
Today it’s home to the Boston Ballet and Broadway Across America.
The Glove Theatre in Gloversville, NY was almost demolished in the '90s to make room for a parking lot. Seriously.
I photographed it a few years back… and accidentally jammed the fire curtain mid-descent while I was poking around. Oops.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/07/16/t...
I photographed it a few years back… and accidentally jammed the fire curtain mid-descent while I was poking around. Oops.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/07/16/t...
July 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The Glove Theatre in Gloversville, NY was almost demolished in the '90s to make room for a parking lot. Seriously.
I photographed it a few years back… and accidentally jammed the fire curtain mid-descent while I was poking around. Oops.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/07/16/t...
I photographed it a few years back… and accidentally jammed the fire curtain mid-descent while I was poking around. Oops.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/07/16/t...
Providence Performing Arts Center.
Opened in 1928 as Loew’s State Theatre. Designed by Rapp & Rapp—the same architects behind the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, which is still my favorite.
It was almost demolished in the late '70s until the infamous Buddy Cianci stepped in.
Opened in 1928 as Loew’s State Theatre. Designed by Rapp & Rapp—the same architects behind the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, which is still my favorite.
It was almost demolished in the late '70s until the infamous Buddy Cianci stepped in.
July 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Providence Performing Arts Center.
Opened in 1928 as Loew’s State Theatre. Designed by Rapp & Rapp—the same architects behind the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, which is still my favorite.
It was almost demolished in the late '70s until the infamous Buddy Cianci stepped in.
Opened in 1928 as Loew’s State Theatre. Designed by Rapp & Rapp—the same architects behind the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, which is still my favorite.
It was almost demolished in the late '70s until the infamous Buddy Cianci stepped in.
The Colonial Theatre in Boston, MA — not abandoned obviously, but it did come dangerously close to being the classiest dining hall on the East Coast. Emerson College was ready to convert it into one until Stephen Sondheim and a bunch of angry theater people signed a petition and shut that down fast.
July 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The Colonial Theatre in Boston, MA — not abandoned obviously, but it did come dangerously close to being the classiest dining hall on the East Coast. Emerson College was ready to convert it into one until Stephen Sondheim and a bunch of angry theater people signed a petition and shut that down fast.
On November 10, 1977, the Loew’s Gates Theatre was sold to the Triumphant Church of Jesus Christ Inc. for a symbolic $10—along with the less symbolic responsibility of paying off a $74,000 tax bill. It's still in use as a church (occasionally) to this day.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/06/12/l...
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/06/12/l...
June 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
On November 10, 1977, the Loew’s Gates Theatre was sold to the Triumphant Church of Jesus Christ Inc. for a symbolic $10—along with the less symbolic responsibility of paying off a $74,000 tax bill. It's still in use as a church (occasionally) to this day.
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/06/12/l...
afterthefinalcurtain.net/2025/06/12/l...
When you’ve been photographing the same decaying theater for 15 years, you start looking for ways to keep it interesting. This time I used the disco ball mode on my new light—because nothing says “historic preservation” like mood lighting for ghosts.
May 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
When you’ve been photographing the same decaying theater for 15 years, you start looking for ways to keep it interesting. This time I used the disco ball mode on my new light—because nothing says “historic preservation” like mood lighting for ghosts.
Shot this a few weeks after my second daughter Ellie was born. I celebrated by dragging myself into a giant stone sweatbox with a camera.
The Worcester Memorial Auditorium—“the Aud” if you’re local—was built in 1933 to honor 9,000 locals who served in WWI.
This Memorial Day, we remember them.
The Worcester Memorial Auditorium—“the Aud” if you’re local—was built in 1933 to honor 9,000 locals who served in WWI.
This Memorial Day, we remember them.
May 26, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Shot this a few weeks after my second daughter Ellie was born. I celebrated by dragging myself into a giant stone sweatbox with a camera.
The Worcester Memorial Auditorium—“the Aud” if you’re local—was built in 1933 to honor 9,000 locals who served in WWI.
This Memorial Day, we remember them.
The Worcester Memorial Auditorium—“the Aud” if you’re local—was built in 1933 to honor 9,000 locals who served in WWI.
This Memorial Day, we remember them.
Peter David was one of those rare writers I’d follow anywhere—publisher, title, didn’t matter. Fallen Angel came on the heels of his Supergirl run, and while it doesn’t seem to get much love around here, it might be my favorite thing he ever did.
Condolences to his loved ones.
#rippad
Condolences to his loved ones.
#rippad
May 25, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Peter David was one of those rare writers I’d follow anywhere—publisher, title, didn’t matter. Fallen Angel came on the heels of his Supergirl run, and while it doesn’t seem to get much love around here, it might be my favorite thing he ever did.
Condolences to his loved ones.
#rippad
Condolences to his loved ones.
#rippad
Just got back from a week in Florida. No theaters, no peeling paint—just beaches and a growing sense of architectural withdrawal. So to recalibrate, here’s the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. It’s not abandoned. It’s just a fully restored theater that proves preservation actually works.
May 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Just got back from a week in Florida. No theaters, no peeling paint—just beaches and a growing sense of architectural withdrawal. So to recalibrate, here’s the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. It’s not abandoned. It’s just a fully restored theater that proves preservation actually works.
On vacation, still wide awake at 3 AM because insomnia doesn’t believe in time off. Spent 3–5:30 editing photos of Gary Methodist from 2011 and 2012, because that’s when my brain thinks it’s peak productivity hour. Sleep is for the weak.
#GaryMethodist #AbandonedArchitecture #HistoricTheaters
#GaryMethodist #AbandonedArchitecture #HistoricTheaters
May 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
On vacation, still wide awake at 3 AM because insomnia doesn’t believe in time off. Spent 3–5:30 editing photos of Gary Methodist from 2011 and 2012, because that’s when my brain thinks it’s peak productivity hour. Sleep is for the weak.
#GaryMethodist #AbandonedArchitecture #HistoricTheaters
#GaryMethodist #AbandonedArchitecture #HistoricTheaters
Hosting a workshop today at the Olympia Theatre — opened decades before color photography was common.
Not the most ornate theater ever built — just better than almost everything going up now
#OlympiaTheatre #HistoricTheatre #CaptureHistory #AfterTheFinalCurtain #TheaterPhotography #WorcesterMA
Not the most ornate theater ever built — just better than almost everything going up now
#OlympiaTheatre #HistoricTheatre #CaptureHistory #AfterTheFinalCurtain #TheaterPhotography #WorcesterMA
April 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Hosting a workshop today at the Olympia Theatre — opened decades before color photography was common.
Not the most ornate theater ever built — just better than almost everything going up now
#OlympiaTheatre #HistoricTheatre #CaptureHistory #AfterTheFinalCurtain #TheaterPhotography #WorcesterMA
Not the most ornate theater ever built — just better than almost everything going up now
#OlympiaTheatre #HistoricTheatre #CaptureHistory #AfterTheFinalCurtain #TheaterPhotography #WorcesterMA
The Grand Theatre was built in 1927 as part of LA Polytechnic High School. Los Angeles Trade Technical College proposed the idea of demolition in 2019, then waited until 2025 to actually follow through. Only the facade remains.
I don’t usually post two days in a row, but this needed to be seen.
I don’t usually post two days in a row, but this needed to be seen.
April 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The Grand Theatre was built in 1927 as part of LA Polytechnic High School. Los Angeles Trade Technical College proposed the idea of demolition in 2019, then waited until 2025 to actually follow through. Only the facade remains.
I don’t usually post two days in a row, but this needed to be seen.
I don’t usually post two days in a row, but this needed to be seen.
The Crump Theatre in Columbus, Indiana is finally getting the interior upgrade it’s needed for decades. When I shot it, the 1942 black light mural was hidden behind what looked like a yard sale explosion—so yeah, I missed it. Might be time for a redo, minus the junk piles.
#ProjectEncore
#ProjectEncore
April 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The Crump Theatre in Columbus, Indiana is finally getting the interior upgrade it’s needed for decades. When I shot it, the 1942 black light mural was hidden behind what looked like a yard sale explosion—so yeah, I missed it. Might be time for a redo, minus the junk piles.
#ProjectEncore
#ProjectEncore
Last weekend, someone broke into the Roxie Theatre and tunneled into the jewelry store next door. Stole $20 million in valuables. This is the second time this has happened.
Ghost Adventures once asked if I had any paranormal experiences here, so I made one up.
Ghost Adventures once asked if I had any paranormal experiences here, so I made one up.
April 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Last weekend, someone broke into the Roxie Theatre and tunneled into the jewelry store next door. Stole $20 million in valuables. This is the second time this has happened.
Ghost Adventures once asked if I had any paranormal experiences here, so I made one up.
Ghost Adventures once asked if I had any paranormal experiences here, so I made one up.
The Carolina Theatre in Charlotte reopened on March 24, after being closed since 1978. I photographed it back in 2016. Hoping to get back in soon to document it now.
Also, I’m posting this from an 8-year-old’s birthday party on a Saturday night. Living the dream.
Also, I’m posting this from an 8-year-old’s birthday party on a Saturday night. Living the dream.
April 12, 2025 at 11:18 PM
The Carolina Theatre in Charlotte reopened on March 24, after being closed since 1978. I photographed it back in 2016. Hoping to get back in soon to document it now.
Also, I’m posting this from an 8-year-old’s birthday party on a Saturday night. Living the dream.
Also, I’m posting this from an 8-year-old’s birthday party on a Saturday night. Living the dream.
Opened in 1925 as the Metropolitan, it was one of the largest theaters of its time. By the 1980s, it was nearly demolished—until Dr. An Wang stepped in with a major donation that helped save and restore it. It’s still standing, and is one of the most ridiculously gorgeous theaters in the country.
April 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Opened in 1925 as the Metropolitan, it was one of the largest theaters of its time. By the 1980s, it was nearly demolished—until Dr. An Wang stepped in with a major donation that helped save and restore it. It’s still standing, and is one of the most ridiculously gorgeous theaters in the country.
Usually, my subjects are a little quieter, I photographed The Receiving End of Sirens’ reunion show on March 15.
Incredible night, incredible band—worth every bit of hearing loss.
#TheReceivingEndOfSirens #TREOS #ReunionShow #LiveMusicPhotography #NotAnAbandonedTheater #ConcertPhotography
Incredible night, incredible band—worth every bit of hearing loss.
#TheReceivingEndOfSirens #TREOS #ReunionShow #LiveMusicPhotography #NotAnAbandonedTheater #ConcertPhotography
March 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Usually, my subjects are a little quieter, I photographed The Receiving End of Sirens’ reunion show on March 15.
Incredible night, incredible band—worth every bit of hearing loss.
#TheReceivingEndOfSirens #TREOS #ReunionShow #LiveMusicPhotography #NotAnAbandonedTheater #ConcertPhotography
Incredible night, incredible band—worth every bit of hearing loss.
#TheReceivingEndOfSirens #TREOS #ReunionShow #LiveMusicPhotography #NotAnAbandonedTheater #ConcertPhotography
Here's a look at some of the theaters I've featured on my Patreon lately. Click the link in my bio to sign up to check out their stories before time (or developers) rewrite the ending. Also, I'm pissed about the Pink House getting demolished for no reason. Just me?
March 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Here's a look at some of the theaters I've featured on my Patreon lately. Click the link in my bio to sign up to check out their stories before time (or developers) rewrite the ending. Also, I'm pissed about the Pink House getting demolished for no reason. Just me?
Just testing out flashes.
February 25, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Just testing out flashes.
A long time ago in Philly… back when a restoration was still possible, the walls had less “artistic expression” and you couldn’t stargaze through the ceiling. #CouldHaveBeenSaved #abandonedtheater #historictheatre
February 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A long time ago in Philly… back when a restoration was still possible, the walls had less “artistic expression” and you couldn’t stargaze through the ceiling. #CouldHaveBeenSaved #abandonedtheater #historictheatre