Twilight Theatre History
The story of the Twilight Theatre begins in September of 1916, when H.W. Wacker and H.L. Miller laid the cornerstone for a brick opera house in the heart of Greensburg. By early 1917 the building was nearly complete, and local businessman Charles Spainhour took ownership. With seating for more than 750, a grand 24-foot ceiling, a large stage with six elaborate scenic sets, and even storefronts that housed a barber shop and piano store, the Opera House quickly became the pride of the community. The first curtain rose on April 16, 1917, with a performance by The Benjamin Stock Company. Soon after, the venue showed its first film—a wartime picture accompanied by the town orchestra—cementing its place as both a stage and a screen for the people of Greensburg.
THE 1923 RENOVATION AND RENAMING
By 1923, the theatre underwent major renovations to modernize its equipment and atmosphere. Fresh interior decoration and the addition of new Powers 6B motor-driven projectors with a Minusa screen brought cutting-edge technology to small-town Kansas. As part of the grand reopening, the community was invited to choose a new name, and the Opera House was officially christened The Twilight. The opening festivities included performances by the High School Orchestra and local vocalists, followed by the feature film Smilin’ Through. Over the next decade, silent films, vaudeville acts, and community rallies filled the calendar, until motion pictures became the theatre’s mainstay around 1930. This chapter of Twilight Theatre history marked its evolution from opera house to movie palace, serving as a cultural anchor for generations.
THE REBIRTH AFTER THE TORNADO
Nearly a century later, tragedy struck in May of 2007 when an EF-5 tornado destroyed most of Greensburg, including the historic Twilight. For eight years the theatre’s absence was a reminder of both loss and the town’s determination to rise again. In April of 2015, the doors of a new Twilight Theatre opened, embodying that determination. The state-of-the-art facility was outfitted with advanced projection, sound, and lighting systems, along with one of the largest screens between Wichita and Denver. More than a cinema, the new Twilight was designed as a multi-use space for films, live events, and school programs—a place where entertainment and community life could thrive side by side. Its rebirth stands as both a continuation of Twilight Theatre history and a symbol of Greensburg’s resilience, ensuring the theatre remains at the heart of the community for generations to come.
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