Green Theatre


The Green Theatre was built in 1935, with the Grand Opening being March 7, 1936 showing the movie "The Ghost Goes West." There were more than 1000 paid admissions during the four afternoon and night shows.

Theatre-goers were greeted with a spectacular sight, an auditorium furnished with 350 green leather upholstered opera chairs (with springs no less), a concession stand and red velvet curtains, covering a large stage area. An outer lobby with a "glass cage" ticket booth and French doors leading into the inner lobby. There were Ladies and Men's rest rooms, with the Ladies having a large vestibule containing wicker furniture.

The ornate plaster wall decor, depicted large vases of three-dimensional flowers and leaves done in pink and dark green on mint green walls. There was indirect lighting throughout the theatre on walls and ceilings. This was truly a world-class small town theatre. The last movie shown was "Oh God, You Devil" in 1985.

After changing hands several times over the years, the building had fallen in disrepair.

The Friends For La Plata Preservation purchased the theatre in 2005, with the intent of bringing it back to it's original glory, and changing it from a theatre into a community center. Fundraisers began, and in 2007 we were able to put on a completely new roof. Most of the plaster work, all of the lighting, stage curtains, and some seats have been saved and will be used in the refurbished auditorium. FLPP continues to raise money for the next step in bringing the Green Theatre back to life. If you are interested in helping, please contact:

Friends For La Plata Preservation
Gene Grear
201 North Brown Street
La Plata, MO 63549

laplib@missvalley.com