The 7 Best Historic Theaters in New Mexico!
The history of theater runs deep, and in New Mexico, you’ll find lavish buildings that have been an important part of the state’s culture for decades—some even a century. These beautiful theaters represent an era of architecture and culture. With these iconic spaces being maintained, restored, and renovated, you can still catch live performances in them today. Here are 7 incredible historic theaters in New Mexico.
Engine House Theatre, Madrid, NM
Coal mining dominated this town for more than 100 years. When mining stopped, the town regrouped and is now a hotspot on the Turquoise Trail. The theater, housed in train engine repair shed from the 1900s, seats about 135 people who can cheer and boo at the actors in the old-time melodramas that take place in summertime. There’s a full-size steam engine on stage, old maintenance pits along the aisles, soot and steam stains on the roof and a balcony made from railroad tracks.
Silco Theatre, Silver City, NM
Silver and copper mining helped establish the town in its earliest days. The name SilCo pays homage to that history. This theater went through a number of transformations—movies, furniture store, mini-mall, boutique—until it was refurbished and reopened in 2006 as a movie theater and facility for events and meetings. It has a one screen, 156-seat all digital movie screening room and a lot of small-town charm.
Flickinger Center for Performing Arts, Alamogordo, NM
This 1950s-style movie theater, operated by Frontier Theatres, was originally named the Sierra Theater and boasted a 17-by-38-foot screen. In the 1980s, it was purchased by a local resident, Margaret Flickinger, who donated it to what is now known as the Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts organization. Now, this refurbished 600-seat theater offers a variety of entertainment from concerts to plays and musicals to dance recitals by both professional and amateur groups and is a performing arts anchor for the downtown.
Luna Theater, Clayton, NM
In 2009, the town purchased this historic theater, a source of community pride and a popular landmark. Originally built in 1915 as the Mission Theater, it changed hands and was renamed the Luna Theater in the 1930s. Because of its mission/Spanish revival and Art Deco-style architectural components, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. At one time, the basement was a ballroom and roller rink. Now, the building is a legendary venue for movies, with updated digital projection and surround sound. The winking, smiling moon face on the marquee is a delightful, working blast-from-the-past.
El Morro Theatre, Gallup, NM
Billed as a “castle of pleasure and art” in 1928 when it opened, this Carl Boller designed building with its Spanish Colonial-style exterior was restored in 1991 and is now used for film exhibition and performing arts. The 450-seat theatre, which shows popular movies, is outfitted with Dolby Digital Sound and a high-end Christie Digital projector. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the movie heydays of the 1940s and 50s when going to the movies was an event. Lots of fresh popcorn, hotdogs and comfortable seats.
Shuler Theater, Raton, NM
This more than 100-year-old theater was built at the turn of the 19th century as a place for opera, live theatrical performances and concerts. Today, its original purpose lives on, continuing to showcase live plays, drama, comedies, musical theater and concerts for all ages for the local community. Renovated in the 1960s, the interior has some beautiful remnants from its earliest days including three original drop curtains depicting beautiful scenery, an original restored box seating area and eight WPA (Work Progress Administration) murals by artist Manville Chapman from the 1930s showcasing Raton in the 1840s. This beautiful building is a Registered Cultural Property in New Mexico.
The El Rey Theater, Albuquerque, NM
Known as the Puccini Building, this historic theater is the setting for what could be considered a modern-day opera. It’s named for Luigi Puccini, cousin of the famed 1920s opera composer Giacomo Puccini. Luigi’s future wife thought she was going to meet the famous composer, but instead, upon meeting Luigi, fell in love with him. They built the El Rey as a movie theater in the 1940s. It’s been in the family, off and on, since then. Now, as a Registered Historic building, this lovely example of Mediterranean architecture, the only one in the state, is a cornerstone of downtown as a live music and concert venue.
