Theatre Cedar Rapids
A Cedar Rapids community theatre that stages live productions, provides theatre education, and operates in a historic former movie palace.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Theatre Cedar Rapids (TCR) is a community theatre organization in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, whose roots reach back to the Little Theatre Movement of the 1920s. In 1925, local artist Grant Wood and other Cedar Rapids residents presented small theatrical works in Wood's apartment at 5 Turner Alley. Wood contributed in several capacities, including set design, writing, directing, and acting, while fellow artist Marvin Cone also helped create scenery. The apartment was simultaneously Wood's studio and the place where he painted American Gothic, linking the theatre's early history with one of the best-known works of American art. The original theatre activity was interrupted by World War II. In 1948, the group reorganized under the name The Footlighters and presented productions at venues including the local YMCA and Coe College. In 1955, it moved into the Old Strand Theatre, a former movie palace dating from 1912 that had also been known as The Olympic. The organization adopted the name Cedar Rapids Community Theatre, reflecting its broader institutional identity. The organization later became associated with the Iowa Theatre building. The Iowa Theatre opened in June 1928 as a cinema and vaudeville venue and hosted both films and stage entertainment. Katharine Hepburn appeared there in a stage production of The Philadelphia Story in 1940. The cinema closed in April 1983, and Audrey Linge donated the building to the community theatre organization four months later. After taking possession of the Iowa Theatre, the group adopted the name Theatre Cedar Rapids. The historic building suffered severe damage in the Iowa flood of 2008. TCR closed while restoration and repairs took place, and the organization continued presenting theatre in temporary locations such as shopping malls and churches. Federal Emergency Management Agency support contributed more than four million dollars toward the building's repair, and FEMA produced a documentary about the renovation. The restored facility reopened in February 2010. It also contains a rare Rhinestone Barton organ, described as the only remaining instrument of its type, which was restored after flood damage. The post-restoration programme included Rent. Anthony Rapp, who originated Mark Cohen in the Broadway production, attended a performance and participated in a question-and-answer session about the musical. The organization has also presented ambitious productions for a community theatre, including Les Misérables and Disney's Mary Poppins, and has received recorded greetings from performers associated with those works. TCR's programming includes several stage shows each year as well as acting classes and other educational activity. The theatre reports an annual audience of more than 50,000 patrons and relies substantially on volunteer participation, with more than 35,000 volunteer hours associated with its work each year. TCR's historical and cultural significance extends beyond its productions. Its alumni and associates include Grant Wood, Marvin Cone, Ron Livingston, Don DeFore, Macdonald Carey, Megan Reinking, and Joshua Casteel. The organization functions as a regional arts institution, combining performance, education, preservation of a historic venue, and community volunteerism.
History
Theatre Cedar Rapids began in 1925 during the Little Theatre Movement, when Grant Wood and other local residents created small performances in Wood's apartment at 5 Turner Alley. Wood designed scenery and also wrote, directed, and acted, while Marvin Cone contributed to the visual work. The location served both as Wood's studio and as the place where he painted American Gothic. The theatre group suspended activity during World War II. In 1948, the organization re-formed as The Footlighters. Its productions were staged at the YMCA and Coe College before the group moved in 1955 to the Old Strand Theatre, a former movie palace built in 1912 and previously known as The Olympic. At that point, it became known as Cedar Rapids Community Theatre. The organization later took over the Iowa Theatre. Opened in June 1928, the Iowa Theatre functioned as a cinema and vaudeville venue. Katharine Hepburn appeared there in a stage version of The Philadelphia Story in 1940. The movie theatre closed in April 1983. Four months later, Audrey Linge donated the building to the community theatre organization. After moving into the building, the organization adopted the name Theatre Cedar Rapids. The Iowa flood of 2008 caused substantial damage to the theatre. TCR remained closed until February 2010 and used temporary venues, including malls and churches, while the building was repaired. Federal Emergency Management Agency funding of more than four million dollars supported the restoration, and FEMA documented the project. The building's Rhinestone Barton organ, identified as the only remaining example of its type, was also restored after suffering flood damage. One of the early productions after restoration was Rent. Anthony Rapp attended a performance and discussed the musical with the audience. In 2010, TCR's production of The Laramie Project became the focus of a threatened Westboro Baptist Church protest; the protest did not take place, and supporters instead held a solidarity gathering. The theatre has subsequently been noted for mounting major community-theatre productions, including Les Misérables and Disney's Mary Poppins. It also offers acting classes and presents multiple stage shows each year. According to reference material, its work reaches more than 50,000 patrons annually and involves over 35,000 volunteer hours.
- 2010
Restored theatre reopens
[1]The venue reopens in February after repairs supported in part by FEMA funding and documented in a FEMA restoration film.
- 2010
The Laramie Project protest controversy
[1]A threatened protest concerning TCR's production of The Laramie Project leads supporters to organize a solidarity response, although the protest does not occur.
- 2008
Iowa flood damages the theatre
[1]Severe flooding substantially damages the building and forces TCR to relocate performances temporarily.
- 1983
Iowa Theatre closes as a cinema
[1]The Iowa Theatre shuts down in April, ending its operation as a movie theatre before being donated to the community theatre organization.
- 1983
The organization takes over the Iowa Theatre building
[1]Audrey Linge donates the former Iowa Theatre to the organization, which then takes the name Theatre Cedar Rapids.
- 1955
Move to the Old Strand Theatre
[1]The Footlighters move into the former Old Strand Theatre, also known as The Olympic, and adopt the name Cedar Rapids Community Theatre.
- 1948
The group reorganizes as The Footlighters
[1]After its wartime hiatus, the theatre group resumes activity under the name The Footlighters, using venues such as the YMCA and Coe College.
- 1928
Iowa Theatre opens
[1]The Iowa Theatre opens as a cinema and vaudeville venue, later becoming the home of Theatre Cedar Rapids.
- 1925
Community theatre activity begins in Grant Wood's apartment
[1]Grant Wood and other Cedar Rapids residents stage small productions at 5 Turner Alley as part of the Little Theatre Movement.
Products and positioning
A community-centered performing-arts institution that combines accessible live theatre, volunteer participation, arts education, and stewardship of a historic Cedar Rapids venue.
Performing arts
Live stage productions
Theatre Cedar Rapids presents a recurring programme of plays and musicals performed in a community-theatre setting. Its repertoire includes both established dramatic works and large-scale musical productions, with performances supported by professional and volunteer artistic, technical, and production participants.
Arts education
Acting classes
TCR offers acting instruction as part of its educational activity. The classes extend the organization's role beyond presenting shows by giving community members opportunities to develop performance skills and engage with theatre-making.
Venue and heritage asset · 1983
Historic Iowa Theatre venue
The organization operates from the historic Iowa Theatre building, a former movie and vaudeville venue opened in 1928. The facility includes a rare Rhinestone Barton organ that was restored following flood damage in 2008.
Marketing campaigns
- 2008Flood restoration fundraising and public support
Cedar Rapids · Eastern Iowa
After the Iowa flood damaged the theatre, TCR pursued public and community support while productions moved to temporary venues. Actors Michael Emerson and Ron Livingston, both connected to the Cedar Rapids area, recorded messages supporting fundraising and restoration efforts.
Outcome. The building was repaired and reopened in February 2010, with FEMA contributing more than four million dollars to the restoration effort.
Brand decisions
2010
Post-restoration production of RentProduct launchBackground
Following the reopening of the restored theatre, TCR resumed its major-production programme.
Action taken
The theatre staged Rent and hosted Anthony Rapp for a performance and audience discussion.
Aftermath
The production helped mark the venue's return to regular operation and generated a notable connection with the musical's Broadway history.
2008
Temporary relocation during flood restorationStrategyBackground
The Iowa flood caused significant damage to TCR's building and made the venue unusable.
Action taken
TCR continued presenting performances in malls, churches, and other temporary locations while restoration work proceeded.
Aftermath
The theatre returned to its restored building in February 2010.
1983
Adoption of the Theatre Cedar Rapids nameStrategyBackground
After the Iowa Theatre closed as a cinema and was donated to the community theatre organization, the group established itself in the building.
Action taken
The organization changed its public identity from Cedar Rapids Community Theatre to Theatre Cedar Rapids.
Aftermath
The name became associated with the historic Iowa Theatre venue and the organization's broader performing-arts programme.
Recent events
- 2010
Theatre Cedar Rapids resumes operations after extensive flood restoration[1]
Other
Following major damage from the 2008 Iowa flood, Theatre Cedar Rapids completed restoration work and reopened in February 2010. During the closure, productions were staged at temporary community locations.
- 2010
The Laramie Project production draws planned protest and community solidarity response[1]
Other
A production of The Laramie Project was threatened with a protest by Westboro Baptist Church because of the play's subject matter. The anticipated protest did not occur, while supporters gathered for a solidarity rally.
- 2010
Anthony Rapp attends Theatre Cedar Rapids production of Rent[1]
Product launch
Anthony Rapp, associated with the original Broadway production of Rent, attended a Theatre Cedar Rapids performance after the venue's restoration and joined an extended audience question-and-answer session.
Sources2 sources
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