HomeMovie TheatersMonroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre)

Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - Monroe MI

Address: 114 South Monroe Street
City: Monroe
State: MI
Zip: 48161
County: Monroe
Open: 1959
Capacity:
Owner History: Denniston Theater Co.
Theater Type: Downtown Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 17969
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

From Cinema Treasures

The River Raisin Centre for the Arts is dedicated to providing high quality performing arts presentations, arts education and professional support to local arts organizations.

The River Raisin Centre for the Arts (RRCA) was founded in 1988 as a not-for profit organization by a group of community leaders. The dream of the founders was to create an arts center through the restoration of the 1938 Art Deco style Monroe Theatre in Historic downtown Monroe. The City of Monroe has a population of 25,000 and is located in the largely rural Monroe County in southeastern Michigan.

The Monroe Theatre had been vacant since 1975 and was in danger of being razed for real estate development. The Monroe Community Players, the local community theater group, and civic organizations began a massive clean up of the interior of the building. Local businesses donated money to replace the roof and make other critical repairs. Several local groups began using the facility for presentations during the next few years, but the dream of fully operational arts center was largely unrealized. The local economy was particularly hard hit by the economic downturn of the early-1990’s.

The RRCA Board of Directors continued to govern and operate the Centre on a volunteer basis through 1995. Local economic conditions improved and the Board of Directors hired the first professional Executive Director in January 1996. The increased service to the community was immediate and dramatic. In 1996 the RRCA offered the first six show series of touring artists, a dance academy, and a summer theatre arts camp for youth.

Facility use grew from 60 days in 1995 to currently more than 300 days in use, with touring artists, local presentations, performing arts classes, and workshops. During that same period, $750,000 in capital improvements have been made to the Centre. Today, the River Raisin Centre for the Arts is the largest and only full service performing arts organization in Monroe County.

The success of the RRCA has been recognized by the community through increased participation, volunteer support, and contributions. The Board of Directors and Staff are currently developing a five-year strategic plan to capitalize on the community response and demand for more performing arts services.

Info Updates:
1/20/2004 - WaterWinterWonderland
Thank goodness for old postcards! Based on the film showing and the vehicle out front, you would think that this photo of the Monroe would date back to the early 1940's. The puzzling part is that the postcard was apparently postmarked in Monroe, MI in 1962! This would make sense as this theatre supposedly opened in 1959. Puzzling...
12/18/2003 - Box Office Magazine
The Monroe Theatre was opened in 1959 by Joe Denniston, owner of several theatres in around Monroe. This was his third house after the Family Theatre in 1911 and the second Family Theatre in 1917.
 Photos:12
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - July 9 2022 Photo
July 9 2022 Photo
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - July 9 2022 Photo
July 9 2022 Photo
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - Auditorium From Don Gurka
Auditorium From Don Gurka
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - 2007 Pic From Ron Gross
2007 Pic From Ron Gross
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - 2007 Pic From Ron Gross
2007 Pic From Ron Gross
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - From American Classic Images
From American Classic Images
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - 2007 Pic From Ron Gross
2007 Pic From Ron Gross
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - 2007 Pic From Ron Gross
2007 Pic From Ron Gross
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - Recent Pic
Recent Pic
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - Old Post Card View
Old Post Card View
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - Vintage Pic
Vintage Pic
Monroe Theatre (River Raisin Centre) - Old Article
Old Article
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