Civic Theatre of Allentown

Civic Theatre of Allentown is a nonprofit performing-arts organization and historic cinema based on North 19th Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The organization operates from a theater building commonly known as the Nineteenth Street Theatre, which opened on September 17, 1928, during the development of Allentown's West End. The venue was conceived as part of a neighborhood commercial and entertainment district and originally opened as a movie theater with an ornate interior, a brightly decorated exterior, and a Moller DeLuxe theater organ. Its first screening was the silent film The Sawdust Paradise. The original cinema struggled during its first months. The rapid transition from silent pictures to synchronized sound, together with financial difficulties, led to a closure in December 1928. In 1930, the property was sold to L. J. Chamberlain of Amusements Inc. and converted for sound-film exhibition. It then operated as a second-run neighborhood cinema, showing popular films after their downtown first runs at substantially lower admission prices. This model allowed the theater to operate through much of the 1930s and 1940s, although attendance later declined after World War II as television changed moviegoing habits. The cinema closed again in February 1952. Albert Moffa, owner of Allentown's Americus Hotel, reopened the venue in May 1953 after acquiring it from Amusements Inc. The theater experimented with 3D presentation, reflecting the exhibition practices of the period, and reopened with the musical film Down Among the Sheltering Palms. In the mid-1950s, manager Harold Heydt also expanded the venue's programming by showing foreign films. A decisive institutional change came in July 1957, when Allentown's Civic Little Theatre purchased the property. The community theater group had been seeking a permanent home since its formation in the late 1920s. After acquiring the building, the organization enlarged the stage and began presenting live productions while retaining the Moller organ in response to community interest. The company later adopted the name Civic Theatre of Allentown in 1994. Today, Civic Theatre combines several related activities. Its live-theater program presents a regular mainstage season, including musicals, dramas, comedies, adaptations, children's productions, and special events. The organization has maintained an annual production of A Christmas Carol under the artistic leadership of William Sanders, and it has also staged works such as Young Frankenstein and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Its cinema program focuses primarily on independent and international films, offering a more specialized and generally less expensive alternative to first-run multiplex exhibition. The film operation presents approximately 60 to 80 titles in a typical year when described by the organization's reference materials. Education is another central part of the organization. The Civic Theatre School provides theater instruction for children and young people, serving students from approximately ages four through eighteen through fall, winter, and summer sessions. The organization also operates Theatre514, a production center and 92-seat theater across the street from the principal venue. Theatre514 supports film screenings, additional theatrical productions, and other programming, and it underwent a major renovation and expansion in 2014. The theater modernized its film infrastructure by replacing 35mm projection equipment with Digital Cinema Initiatives-compliant systems, completing the conversion in August 2013. It has also pursued a phased renovation program intended to restore the historic auditorium, improve stage equipment, and upgrade backstage and front-of-house facilities. The original 19th Street building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024, recognizing its architectural and cultural importance to Allentown. Civic Theatre remains primarily a regional cultural institution serving Allentown and the wider Lehigh Valley rather than a national commercial entertainment chain.

Civic Theatre of Allentown occupies a theater building developed during the expansion of Allentown's West End in the 1920s. The neighborhood was growing rapidly as residents sought homes and services away from the denser center of the city. A local entertainment venue formed part of the planned commercial district, and the building at 527 North 19th Street opened on September 17, 1928. The original theater was designed as an elaborately decorated cinema. Its interior used green finishes with gold and silver detailing, while the exterior featured bright colors and ornamental motifs. The opening presentation was the silent film The Sawdust Paradise, accompanied by a Moller DeLuxe theater organ. Although the opening attracted attention, the theater's initial operation was short-lived. Financial difficulties and the industry's movement toward sound pictures led to closure in December 1928. In 1930, L. J. Chamberlain of Amusements Inc. acquired the theater. The building was adapted for sound films and reopened as a second-run cinema. Rather than competing directly with downtown theaters for first-run engagements, it served the surrounding residential area with films that had already completed their initial downtown runs. Lower prices helped establish the venue as a neighborhood cinema, and it remained active through the 1930s and 1940s. Postwar changes, particularly the rise of television, weakened attendance, and the cinema closed in February 1952. Albert Moffa, owner of the Americus Hotel, bought the theater from Amusements Inc. for $90,000 and reopened it in May 1953. The venue was equipped to show 3D films, then a prominent attraction in the exhibition business, and began its new operation with Down Among the Sheltering Palms. During the middle of the decade, manager Harold Heydt broadened the program to include foreign films, anticipating the art-house and international orientation that would later become an important part of Civic Theatre's identity. In July 1957, Allentown's Civic Little Theatre purchased the property from Moffa for $95,000. The group had been founded in the late 1920s and had operated without a permanent home. Its acquisition transformed the venue from a conventional neighborhood cinema into a combined theater and film institution. The nonprofit volunteer organization enlarged the stage to support live productions and, after community requests, preserved the Moller organ. Since that transition, the building has hosted stage productions alongside film screenings. The organization formally adopted the name Civic Theatre of Allentown in 1994. That year, it also undertook substantial work on the deteriorating marquee, supported by fundraising and a grant from the Trexler Trust. The repair was carried out by Alvin Butz Inc. The company later expanded its physical footprint with Theatre514, a production center and 92-seat theater located across North 19th Street. The facility was renovated and enlarged in 2014, allowing Civic to add screenings and theatrical events without relying exclusively on the historic main auditorium. The organization developed into a multi-program arts institution. Its live division produces a regular season of mainstage shows, generally including four principal productions, in addition to children's theater and special events. The company became particularly associated with its recurring presentation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. William Sanders was appointed artistic director in 1991 and is identified with the continuing development of the live production program and the annual Dickens adaptation. Civic has also presented productions including Young Frankenstein and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Civic's film division presents independent and international cinema rather than concentrating on mainstream first-run releases. The program typically includes dozens of titles annually and provides an alternative to commercial multiplexes. The organization also operates the Civic Theatre School, which offers instruction for young people from approximately four to eighteen years old in seasonal sessions. Alumni of the wider Lehigh Valley theater community who have appeared at Civic include Michaela Conlin, Dane DeHaan, Michael McDonald, Daniel Roebuck, Amanda Seyfried, and Christine Taylor, although the theater's relationship to each performer is not necessarily the same. Technologically, Civic completed its move from 35mm projection to DCI-compliant digital systems in August 2013. It subsequently began a two-phase renovation program focused on restoring the auditorium, modernizing stage systems, and improving backstage and public areas. The building's addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024 reinforced its status as both an operating cultural venue and a significant historic property in Allentown. Civic Theatre continues to serve the Lehigh Valley through live theater, cinema, education, and community events.

• 2024

  Historic building receives National Register listing

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The 19th Street building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• 2014

  Theatre514 renovation and expansion

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The secondary theater and production center across the street undergoes a major renovation and expansion.

• 2013

  Digital projection conversion completed

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The film operation replaces 35mm projectors with DCI-compliant digital projection systems.

• 1994

  Organization adopts its current name

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The company officially changes its name to Civic Theatre of Allentown, while also completing a major marquee repair project.

• 1991

  William Sanders becomes artistic director

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The board appoints William Sanders as artistic director; he is associated with the theater's continuing live-production program and annual A Christmas Carol.

• 1957

  Civic Little Theatre acquires the building

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The community theater organization purchases the property, enlarges the stage, and begins using it for live productions while retaining the historic organ.

• 1953

  Cinema reopens with 3D capability

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  Albert Moffa reopens the venue in May after purchasing it, with equipment adapted for 3D films.

• 1952

  Second-run cinema closes

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The theater closes in February after postwar attendance declines associated with changing entertainment habits and the growth of television.

• 1930

  Conversion to second-run sound cinema

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  Amusements Inc. acquires the property and reopens it as a neighborhood second-run movie theater.

• 1928

  Nineteenth Street Theatre opens

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  The theater opens on September 17 as a cinema in Allentown's developing West End, premiering the silent film The Sawdust Paradise with a Moller DeLuxe organ.

• 1928

  Initial cinema operation closes

  [1]Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org

  Financial difficulties and the transition from silent films to sound contribute to the theater's closure in December.

A community-focused nonprofit theater that combines professional-quality and volunteer-supported live productions, youth education, independent and international cinema, and preservation of a historic neighborhood theater.

• Live theater

  Mainstage live theater

  Civic Theatre produces a recurring live-theater season at its historic main venue. The program includes plays, musicals, literary adaptations, and other stage works, with a principal season supplemented by children's theater and special events. Productions are designed for the regional Allentown and Lehigh Valley audience and reflect the organization's community-theater roots.

• Seasonal stage production

  A Christmas Carol

  The theater's recurring adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is one of its signature live offerings. The production has been presented annually under the artistic leadership associated with William Sanders and has been supported by related exhibitions and special events.

• Art-house cinema

  Independent and international film series

  Civic's film program emphasizes independent, foreign, and international films rather than primarily showing current mainstream releases. Screenings take place at the main theater and Theatre514, offering regional audiences access to specialized cinema at prices generally positioned below those of first-run commercial theaters.

• Arts education

  Civic Theatre School

  The Civic Theatre School provides theater education for children and young people, broadly serving ages four through eighteen. Fall, winter, and summer sessions offer structured opportunities to develop performance and theatrical skills within the organization's broader community-arts mission.

• Secondary theater and production venue

  Theatre514

  Theatre514 is Civic Theatre's 92-seat secondary venue and production center across from the main building. It is used for independent and international film screenings, additional theatrical programming, and production activity. A major renovation and expansion in 2014 increased its usefulness as a complementary space.

• 2014

  Expansion of Theatre514Other

  Background

  Civic needed additional space for screenings, productions, and related programming beyond the historic main auditorium.

  Action taken

  The organization renovated and expanded Theatre514, its smaller venue across the street.

  Aftermath

  Theatre514 became a more capable complementary venue for cinema and theatrical presentations.

  Source

• 2013

  Adoption of digital cinema projectionOther

  Background

  The theater's film program needed to adapt as distribution moved away from 35mm prints.

  Action taken

  Civic replaced its traditional 35mm projectors with DCI-compliant digital projection equipment.

  Aftermath

  The organization completed its transition to digital film exhibition while continuing to present independent and international titles.

  Source

• 1957

  Shift from commercial cinema to community theater and filmStrategy

  Background

  Allentown's Civic Little Theatre needed a permanent home, while the existing cinema had experienced the long-term pressures affecting neighborhood movie theaters.

  Action taken

  The organization purchased the Nineteenth Street Theatre, expanded its stage, and established a combined live-theater and film-program model.

  Aftermath

  The building became the long-term home of Civic Theatre and developed into a nonprofit cultural venue rather than a conventional second-run cinema.

  Source

• Phased restoration and theater upgrade programStrategy

  Background

  The historic building required continued restoration and modernization to support live performance and public access.

  Action taken

  Civic initiated a two-phase renovation program covering the auditorium, stage equipment, backstage areas, and front-of-house amenities.

  Aftermath

  The program is intended to preserve the historic venue while improving its operational and audience facilities.

  Source

1. 1Civic Theatre of Allentownen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Civic Theatre of Allentown official websitecivictheatre.com