theatrecr.org Community Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa since 1925

Archive for February, 2009

The Next Act: Restoring the Iowa Theater Building

This is the video that was shown during the announcement by Theatre Cedar Rapids that we are bringing the Iowa Theatre Building back in February of 2010.

This video features comments by Ron Livingston of “Office Space” and Michael Emerson of “Lost”; the announcement of what our first show back in the Iowa Theatre Building will be; historic photos from throughout the life of the building; and, of course, footage of volunteers sandbagging the theatre the day of the flood.

Aaron Brown contributed original music and donated it royalty-free. Many of the photos in this video are mine, but others are contributed by George T. Henry, Steve Eckert and John Schneipkoweit. Special thanks also to Ron Livingston and Michael Emerson, who took time out of very busy schedules in the film industry to record comments of support. Finally, thanks to KCRG for agreeing to allow use of their campaign and flood coverage in the video, and to The Gazette for the historical images of the Iowa Theatre Building.

Please share this video wherever you can. We’re really excited about finally getting the Iowa Theatre Building back on its feet.

Press Release
February 26, 2009

TCR Announces Plans for Return of Iowa Theater Building

Eight months after floodwaters did millions of dollars in damage to the Iowa Theater Building, Theatre Cedar Rapids has unveiled plans for how and when the historic structure will return. In addition to repairing flood damage, the project will give the Iowa a massive facelift, creating more space for its patrons, adding modern facilities and making the theatre lobby visible to traffic on 1st Ave. for the first time in the building’s 81-year history.

Actor Michael Emerson speaks in support of TCR