1931 – Lensic Theater, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Architect: Boller Brothers

lensic

lensic2lensic2lensic2lensic2

Designed by the Boller Brothers of Kansas City, the old Lensic Theater has been described as “the finest theater of its time in the Southwest”. They were asked to design a film and vaudeville palace that would capture the imagination of all who entered, with romantic foreign motifs and exotic architectural imagery.

It’s pseudo-Moorish, Spanish Renaissance style was originally enhanced with a huge striped tapestry hanging across the ceiling – giving the appearance of an Arabian tent. As the lights were dimmed, images of clouds projected on the ceiling rolled across the skyscape. It finally closed as a cinema in 1999. In 2002 it was reopened, fully restored to its original glory and redesigned to house the best of theater, music, dance, poetry and film.

Published June 1, 2010 | Last Updated December 7, 2010