Cascade Theatre – Redding, California
The Cascade Theatre was constructed in 1935 as a movie palace and vaudeville stage. It was a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture, complete with gold-gilded and silver-gilded walls, period chandeliers, ornate plasterwork, a grand neon facade and marquee, and beautiful murals. Like many downtown theaters of its era, the Cascade struggled to survive during the 1990s with the rise of shopping mall-based multiplex cinemas. In 1997 the Cascade ceased operating and its doors were boarded up.
A gift of $750,000 in funding by The McConnell Foundation helped with the restoration of the Cascade Theatre, which was completed on August 14, 2004 when it reopened as a regional nonprofit performing arts center. The restoration was carried out in a way that honored the heritage of the building while providing the functionality of a modern professional performing arts facility, complete with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and theater technology. The theatre hosts a wide range of arts and cultural events, including concerts, dance, stage and film presentations. Restoration was made possible by many partners and funders.
