Touring the District: The Missouri Theatre
Frequenters to The District will recognize the name, but if you’ve never stepped inside the Missouri Theatre, friend, make the time.
The building sits at 203 S. Ninth Street in downtown Columbia. Nestled amidst a cluster of eateries, local coffee shops, old churches, nightlife bars and entertainment, and a variety of specialty shops and service providers, the Missouri Theatre’s exterior is attractive in its own right; but experiencing the interior will make your jaw drop. The ornate Louis the XIV and XV style (rococo and baroque inspired theater decor), the looming and beautiful Italian chandelier, stained glass panels, Belgian marble wainscoting, and one rather hypnotizing 1929 Robert Morgan vaudeville organ, it’s a District outing for the books.
After touring the theater recently, through an invitation from the Columbia Visitors Bureau, I left the theater astounded at the rich history, meticulous detailing, charming ambiance, and all the (friendly) ghost stories. You should go check it out. The Visitor’s Bureau offers residents a chance to participate in their CTA (Columbia Tour Ambassador) program, which trains and provides continuing education for ambassadors for the community of Columbia. It’s a neat way to get better acquainted with our city.
Two fellow CTA’s enjoying the tour inside one of the Theatre’s dressing rooms backstage.
On top of having historical and design charm, the Missouri Theatre is host to an abundance of artistic and cultural performances year-round. Everything from orchestral music to comedy shows, from ballets to rock concerts, from plays and operas to jazz bands, choral unions, films, and author readings. The University Concert Series creates seasonal schedules that are reflective of Columbia’s diverse atlas of art appreciation. As the operational and managing entity for the Theatre, The University Concert Series also partners with numerous organizations and individuals who seek to utilize the theater’s unique space to showcase their performances and events.
Missouri Symphony (MOSY) Director Trent Rash happened to be a fellow guest on the recent tour. Trent shared some of the history between MOSY and the Missouri Theatre with the group. In the late 1980s, MOSY Founder and Conductor Laureate, Hugo Vianello, advocated for the eventual purchase of the historic theater to preserve it and continue MOSY’s mission of bringing music education and symphonic performances to Mid-Missouri. While MOSY no longer owns the theater, it still plays an important role in the theater’s offerings each season.
The Missouri Theatre boasts a 1929 Robert Morgan vaudeville organ, complete with buttons for sounds such as: wood drum, chimes, piccolo, and bird.
True/False, festival filmgoers will know, has partnered with the Missouri Theatre to showcase films in the pre-depression age movie house since the festival’s inception back in 2004. There’s even a section of the theater which hosts a charming display of the T/F poster designs over the years.
We don’t have time to get into the delights of the theater’s alleged ghost stories here, but whether you’re a Columbia resident or visitor to the area, take some time to visit the historic Missouri Theatre. You won’t be disappointed.
To learn more about the Missouri Theatre, the Columbia Visitors Bureau, the CTA Program, True/False Film Festival, or MOSY, please visit www.discoverthedistrict.com
It’s good to be here!