The next act: Theatre Cedar Rapids reimagines and honors its historic home

Theatre Cedar Rapids (TCR), Iowa’s largest nonprofit producing theatre, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The anniversary marks a milestone that will usher in a major renovation, which aims to preserve the historic Iowa Theatre Building while expanding accessibility and community engagement. Founded in 1925 by artist Grant Wood and housed in its current 1928-built location since 1983, TCR has evolved into a cultural cornerstone of downtown Cedar Rapids.

The nearly $10 million renovation will modernize the building, adding a larger, more accessible elevator, upgraded offices and learning spaces, and improved connectivity throughout the facility. "Our vision, when we reset it a few years ago, was to be a cultural point of pride in our community,” said Katie Hallman, TCR’s executive director. “That’s really what this campaign and what our hundred years have been all about. We’re realizing that’s been the guiding light. What are we doing to be that touchstone, that point of pride for our community?" Over the past six years, TCR has welcomed more than 250,000 visitors. Ms. Hallman said the theater stays active nearly year-round, producing musicals and plays while holding rehearsals, performances, and classes 50 weeks each year. Despite TCR’s growth throughout the last century, much of the five story, 50,000 square-foot building has remained inaccessible or underutilized. “It’s a lot about accessibility,” said Hannah Brewer, TCR’s development director. “And we also want to increase the opportunities within the space so that people can use the building and we can be more of a community resource.” Key upgrades in the plan include infrastructure improvements that will fully connect all five floors of the building, addressing limitations in accessibility and flow. The project will expand the building’s elevator, which currently requires patrons with mobility challenges to exit and re-enter through a separate entrance. The new design will offer direct access to all levels, including the stage, which has been difficult or impossible to reach for performers or guests with physical limitations. The auditorium will also be refreshed with larger, more comfortable seats. Additional renovations will create new spaces for youth programming and community events. One highlight is the development of the “Light Box” studio, a flexible space designed especially for children’s theatre, rehearsals, classes, and performances. The studio, which will feature natural light, adaptable seating, and an open layout inspired by the theater’s past productions for young audiences.

The renovated spaces are expected to be fully operational by 2026. While the renovation process may lead to brief interruptions, Ms. Brewer said TCR intends to remain operational and continue performances throughout construction. "We absolutely produce theatre – but it’s like theatre lowercase T,” Ms. Hallman said. “It's theatre that is accessible. It’s for the masses. It’s where people will build their love of theatre. It’s where people access theater. It’s where families come. It’s where people gather." While the campaign focuses on TCR’s future, it also honors its past — most notably through plans to recreate and reinstall the iconic Iowa corn sign, a three-story corn-shaped downtown Cedar Rapids landmark. Once a quirky symbol known to many, it will now feature modern LED lighting.

"We still get confused for the Paramount all the time,” said Ms. Brewer. “But soon we’ll just be able to say, ‘We’re the one with the corn.’" According to a case statement created by TCR, the theater draws visitors from more than 300 communities and boosts downtown foot traffic year-round, producing 9 to 11 shows per season and employing local and traveling artists and technicians. TCR sometimes runs out of space for its own programming, according to Ms. Brewer. The planned renovations will expand programming capacity, including more youth camps and theatre for young audiences. “I’ve seen people say online that we punch above our weight all the time,” Ms. Hallman said. “Our staff and our team, our production team—I mean, we have people who have landed here and chosen to live here and be here… we are so lucky. We’ve got some super talented artists that work with us.”