The Southern Theatre Hits Milestone Birthday

CAPA will throw a celebration this month for the 125th birthday of the beautiful Southern Theatre. The Southern holds the honor as Columbus’ oldest existing theatre, plus the only remaining theatre to feature a double balcony. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Event Details

Sunday, September 26, 1-4 p.m.
The Southern Theatre

While you may have enjoyed a show at the Southern Theatre, this is your chance to tour the entire theatre. The birthday open house includes self-guided tours of the stage, dressing rooms, orchestra pit, and fly loft, areas usually closed to the public. Docents will be on hand to offer additional historical details and facts.

Admission is free, but you do need to RSVP. Masks are required.

A Little History

The Southern Theatre opened at the corner of High and Main streets on September 21, 1896, a modern jewel box-style opera house. Designed for theatrical touring productions, the theatre was and is part of a hotel and performance space complex. Over the theatre’s many years, audiences have enjoyed touring productions, vaudeville, silent films, motion pictures, music reviews, dance, and community events. 

“The Southern Theatre fills a niche in Columbus' theatres at just over 900 seats. It's just the right size for many local arts organizations and traveling performances,” explained Jason Gay, vice president of operations for CAPA and Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District board member.

The Height of Modernity

When it was built, the Southern was constructed with features very modern for the time. Designed to be fireproof following the recent destruction of five other theatres by fire, the theatre and hotel were constructed of tile, brick, iron, steel, and concrete (thought to be fireproof). The Southern was admired for its plush seats, stylish boxes, and excellent sightlines. It was also one of the first commercial facilities in Columbus to use electricity.

The most notable feature was the audience chamber ceiling. Designed with concentric arches radiating from the proscenium opening, the ceiling creates an acoustic system that still functions nearly perfectly today.

“Acoustically, it’s the best theatre in town. It was built at a time when electronic amplification wasn’t possible. But the concentric arches that radiate from the proscenium act like a megaphone, pulling the acoustic energy from the stage into the audience area,” added Gay.