Strand theatre portrait

Strand Theatre (Portrait)

Piece description from the artist

The Strand Theatre opened in 1925 as a vaudeville and opera theater through a partnership between pharmacists Abe and Julian Saenger and the Ehrlich Brothers.

The theater adapted to changing times in 1927 as moving pictures became more popular and converted to a single screen theater.

The Strand closed in the mid 1970s and was almost lost to demolition, but was donated to a non-profit formed to preserve the theater. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

In 1980, Governor Edwin Edwards designated the Strand as the Official State Theatre of Louisiana.

After a 7 year restoration, the Strand reopened in 1984. It is now the anchor of an arts district within the downtown Commercial Historical District.

In 2008, actors Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes filmed scenes from their last movie Soul Men in this theater as the inside closely resembled one of the movies settings – the Apollo Theatre.

Photos are from my visit to downtown Shreveport while exploring cities and history along US Route 80.

Other works by Calvin Hearns

About Calvin Hearns

Plano, TX

Calvin Hearns enjoys photography, travel, history and takes every opportunity to combine all three passions. After an early taste of international travel as a military kid, a new passport for work travel reignited the international travel bug. In 2019 he left a great corporate job to travel across Southeast Asia. As a visual journalist who believes that opinions are shaped by life experiences, he strives to give his audience a front-row seat to his adventures from around the world and around the block. Calvin is based in Dallas Ft. Worth.

See Calvin's portfolio here
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