Cascade Theatre

Cascade Theatre is a historic theater and arts venue in downtown Redding, California. Built during the expansion of movie-theater culture in the 1930s, it is recognized as a significant example of Art Deco design and remains one of the city’s notable cultural landmarks. The building was designed by San Francisco architect J. Lloyd Conrich for the Naify family, whose Golden State Theaters chain operated cinemas across Northern California. Construction was carried out by Salih Brothers, and the theater opened on August 9, 1935, with seating for approximately 1,348 patrons. At the time of its opening, it was reported to be the first air-conditioned public building in Redding, reflecting the technological and architectural ambitions of the period. The theater’s design combines a relatively restrained masonry exterior with a highly expressive facade. Its principal elevation is organized around a central marquee and a tall vertical neon sign spelling “CASCADE.” Ribbed pilasters, fluted surfaces, neon detailing, and a large relief frieze depicting California industries give the facade its distinctive Art Deco character. Inside, the auditorium includes an orchestra level and balcony, decorative relief work, fluted columns, murals, and custom light fixtures. The present configuration provides seating for 997 patrons as well as spaces for 10 wheelchair users. Cascade Theatre originally operated as a cinema. In 1979, the auditorium was divided into four smaller theaters, a change that reflected the multiplexing trend then reshaping the exhibition business. The venue eventually closed in 1997. Its architectural importance was formally recognized when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 17, 2002. A subsequent preservation and redevelopment effort brought the building back into public use. Southern Oregon University and the JPR Foundation purchased the closed theater, and it reopened in 2004 after restoration work. The restoration returned the auditorium to its original single-house configuration and adapted the property for use as a community auditorium and arts center. In its current role, Cascade Theatre serves as a venue for performances, cultural programs, public events, and other live presentations. Its identity therefore spans several eras: a prewar movie palace, a subdivided multiplex, a vacant historic property, and a restored civic arts venue. The theater’s significance lies not only in its programming but also in its preservation of Redding’s architectural and entertainment history.

Cascade Theatre was developed during the expansion of large-scale cinema construction in the United States during the 1930s. The project was commissioned for the Naify family, operators of the Golden State Theaters chain, which had a substantial presence in Northern California. San Francisco architect J. Lloyd Conrich designed the building, while Salih Brothers served as the builder. The resulting theater opened in Redding on August 9, 1935, with approximately 1,348 seats. The building was conceived as a prominent urban movie palace. Its facade used a combination of masonry, concrete, storefront glazing, ribbon windows, fluted vertical elements, neon lighting, and a central marquee. A large decorative relief frieze representing California industries forms a major visual feature near the roofline. The interior was similarly elaborate, with a decorated lobby, custom lighting, reliefs, fluted columns, murals, an orchestra section, and a balcony. The theater also had an important technological distinction for Redding: it was the city’s first air-conditioned public building. For much of its early history, Cascade functioned as a traditional single-screen cinema. In 1979, the large auditorium was divided into four smaller theaters. This alteration allowed the property to accommodate multiplex-style exhibition, but it reduced the spatial unity of the original auditorium. The theater ultimately closed in 1997, leaving the historic building without its former movie-theater operation. Preservation recognition followed the closure. Cascade Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 17, 2002, acknowledging its architectural character and local historical importance. The building was later acquired by Southern Oregon University and the JPR Foundation. A restoration project returned the interior to a single main-house arrangement and prepared the facility for broader community use. The theater reopened in 2004 as a community auditorium and arts center. Rather than returning solely to commercial film exhibition, the restored venue adopted a mixed cultural role centered on live performances, arts programming, public events, and community gatherings. The restoration preserved key elements of the historic building while adapting spaces for contemporary operation. The former cinema thus became a civic cultural venue, retaining its original architectural identity while serving a wider range of users. Today, Cascade Theatre remains associated with Redding’s downtown cultural landscape. Its Art Deco facade, neon sign, industrial reliefs, decorated auditorium, balcony, and murals provide a tangible link to 1930s theater architecture. Its history illustrates the changing function of American movie palaces: purpose-built cinema in the prewar era, subdivision during the multiplex period, closure amid changing exhibition conditions, and adaptive reuse as a restored performing-arts center.

• 2004

  Reopens as an arts venue

  [1]Cascade Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  After acquisition by Southern Oregon University and the JPR Foundation and subsequent restoration, the theater reopened as a community auditorium and arts center.

• 2002

  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  [1]Cascade Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Cascade Theatre received National Register of Historic Places designation on January 17, formally recognizing its architectural and historical significance.

• 1997

  Cinema closes

  [1]Cascade Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The theater ceased operations as a cinema.

• 1979

  Auditorium subdivided

  [1]Cascade Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The original large auditorium was divided into four smaller theaters as the venue adapted to multiplex-style cinema operation.

• 1935

  Theater opens

  [1]Cascade Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Cascade Theatre opened on August 9 in Redding with approximately 1,348 seats and air conditioning, a notable civic amenity at the time.

• 1934

  Design commissioned

  [1]Cascade Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  San Francisco architect J. Lloyd Conrich designed the theater for the Naify family and its Golden State Theaters chain.

A restored historic Art Deco theater positioned as a community auditorium, performing-arts venue, and cultural landmark in Redding.

• Performing arts · 2004

  Live performance programming

  The restored Cascade Theatre operates primarily as a venue for live performances and cultural presentations. Its main house, balcony, stage, and historic auditorium provide a formal setting for events presented to a seated audience. The available reference material does not identify specific recurring performers, genres, or seasons.

• Community and cultural events · 2004

  Community auditorium events

  Following its restoration and 2004 reopening, Cascade Theatre was adapted for use as a community auditorium and arts center. This offering encompasses public cultural programs and other organized events that make use of the restored theater building. Specific event series and commercial terms are not established by the supplied references.

• Venue · 1935

  Historic theater venue

  The venue itself is a principal offering: a preserved Art Deco theater with a central marquee, vertical neon sign, decorative facade reliefs, decorated lobby, murals, orchestra seating, balcony, and accessibility spaces. The present configuration seats 997 patrons and includes capacity for 10 wheelchair users.

1. 1Cascade Theatreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cascade Theatre official websitecascadetheatre.org