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Garden Theatre in Winter Garden

Theatre Timeline

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Garden Theatre in Winter Garden

The Garden Theatre Marquee, Historic Theatre in Winter Garden Florida

Photo © Winter Garden Heritage Foundation
Garden Theatre Timeline
  • 1934: Collie Biggers begins construction of the Garden Theatre, and completes the project for $15,000.
  • December 1935: Garden Theatre opens with the film SHE, starring Randolph Scott and Helen Galagan.
  • late 1930’s: a Spanish courtyard theme is constructed for the interior, complete with “Romeo and Juliet” balconies, lanterns, ceiling stars, and a Spanish tile roof.
  • 1940: A Jim Crow balcony is added to accommodate the African American community.
  • 1941: Admission price is 35 cents for adults and 9 cents for children early 1940’s: state of the art automatic cooling system replaces fans blowing over ice chunks.
  • 1955: Carl Floyd Theatres acquires the building, adding a new marquee with flashing red neon, red curtains for the stage, new wide-screen projection equipment, and a repainting of the lobby and box office.
  • 1963: The Garden Theatre closes its doors.
  • 1964: The Theatre becomes a tractor warehouse for Pounds Motor Company.
  • 1993: The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is formed.
  • 2002: The City of Winter Garden purchases the Garden Theatre building.
  • 2004: The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation agrees to restore and manage the Garden Theatre.
  • July 2004: Winter Garden Heritage Foundation launches a capital campaign to raise funds necessary to rebuild.
  • May 2005: Original restoration plans expand to include restrooms in building next door and 3-story support building.
  • January 2006: The Heritage Foundation is awarded $500,000 from Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs, ranked #1 by the grant panel.
  • April 2006: The Foundation hires a full time general manager to create an identity, plan programming, and help with construction of the theatre.
  • March 1, 2007: the unveiling of the restored marquee and façade.
  • January 23-26, 2008: Preview soft opening.
  • February 1:First show in the Garden Theatre “The Musical of Musicals: The Musical” Jester Theater Company.
  • February 29 - March 2, 2008: Garden Theatre Gala Weekend of the fully restored Garden Theatre.
  • April 23-May 16, 2010: Garden Theatre's first self-produced production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat of local cast and crew is performed.
  • April 22-May 29, 2011: Garden Theatre's second self-produced production The Sound of Music of a local cast and crew of over 100 is performed.
  • February 2-5, 2012: Garden Theatre's inaugural StarLite Film Festival, showcasing select micro-budget films costing under $100,000 to make.

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