Sorg Theatre and Opera House

Opened on September 12, 1891, the Sorg Opera House is one of the oldest surviving performing arts theatres in the state and country. It offers excellent sight-lines and accoustics.

A 1,200 seat capacity was acheived by providing 520 in the orchestra level, 240 in the 1st balcony and 440 in the 2nd balcony. The upper balcony has been closed since the 1940's. I hope to see it restored one day in the near future.

It is a proscenium theatre with a stage house and fly loft, which made it far more versatile than the standard "box" theatre with roll-up scenery. It was remodeled as the Colonial Theatre in the 1940's to accomodate movies only. The upper balcony was closed and a false ceiling added to reduce the reverb from the excellent accoustics. The projection booth is on the upper balcony, and a cut-out provided in the false ceiling so the picture can reach the stage. Basically, the theatre is historically authentic to 1891.