By MATT PIKE
As the historic Missouri Theatre prepares to celebrate its centennial year, as part of the Centennial Celebration, residents are getting the opportunity to see the historic venue outside of a performance and learn more about it.
Starting on June15th, guided tours of the Missouri Theatre will be available starting at 2 pm and 3 pm on Monday afternoons through July 13th. Frank Polleck, long-time theater tech at the Missouri will lead the first tour each Monday with one of several knowledgeable theater devotees leading the second as needed. Among these are Beth Sharp, retired director of Performing Arts Association, Lori McAlister, former St Joseph Symphony Manager, Karl Wellenkoetter, Administrative Assistant at the Performing Arts Association, and Noel Good, early administrative assistant for Town Hall Center and 40-year violist for the St. Joseph Symphony.
“Whether you’ve been in the theater once or dozens of times, you are sure to see something different or learn something new that you’ve not seen before,” Centennial Celebration Series Chair Lori McAlister says in a news release.
The dates are being offered as a trial run, to gage the level of interest in these tours. They are also timed so that visitors to the area during the World Cup events in Kansas City could take advantage of this unique opportunity. The artistic influences in the Missouri Theater borrow from ancient cultures throughout the Middle East. For instance, you can find these types of arts rendered in plaster in this Art Deco-age Atmospheric Theater in St Joseph.
There is no minimum number required to participate. Tours will start at 2 pm and 3 pm on Mondays, June 15th, 22nd, 29th, as well as July 6th and 13th. Reservations are not required, but are encouraged, especially for groups of five or more. Tours are offered free and donations to the Friends of the MO Theater are gratefully received.
Fore more information on the tours, you can contact Lori McAlister. These tours are presented by the Centennial Celebration Series Committee in anticipation of the 100th Anniversary of City Hall and the Missouri Theater in 2027.
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