INDIANAPOLIS — On October 24 from 6–9 p.m. at Intermissions Plaza there will be a Rivoli Theater Marquee Unveiling. Intermission Plaza next door will host the final pop up arts party 6-8 that same day hosted by Arts With A Purpose. The Rivoli is located at 3155 E. 10th St.
We’ll gather with the community to unveil and light the Theater’s new marquee, celebrate the progress made so far, and spotlight the future of this beloved landmark. Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the Theatre and experience firsthand why the Rivoli is such an important part of the Near Eastside. The Rivoli was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
In 2024, Congressman André Carson secured $850,000 in federal Community Project Funding for the Rivoli Building Rehabilitation project. The funds will be used for prioritized exterior renovations, aiming to complete as many high-priority items as possible. K.P. Meiring will be leading these renovations.
Renovation priority items include:
• Fabricate and install historic window replacement
• Install red Ludowici Clay Tiles on roof
• Fabricate and install historic storefront windows and doors
• Repair 2nd floor windows
• Repairs to downspouts and gutters
The Rivoli Theatre was built in 1927 by Carl Laemmle Jr., President of Universal Pictures Corporation and its movie theatre division, Universal Chain Theatrical Enterprises, Inc, as the first Universal Studios owned theatre in Indiana.
The structure was a showpiece, with a spacious vestibule and a highly decorative lobby. The auditorium was lavishly decorated, and it was built to accumulate 1,500 patrons, which even today is considered large for a neighborhood theatre.
There was a dome in the auditorium, which had a diameter of 55 feet and the height of 7 feet. Not only was the theatre designed for showing motion pictures, but also for theatrical stage production, having the largest stage in Indianapolis at the time of its construction, back stage area, dressing rooms beneath the stage and an orchestra pit located in front of the stage.
Universal sold the theatre to Joseph Cantor, who operated the theatre for live performances and showing motion pictures. Mr. Cantor owned the Rivoli until 1952, when the theatre was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Forest Kraning, who showed second run movies and concerts on the stage. They added a new ticket office, repainted the interior, redecorated the lobby and restored the marquee. Mr. and Mrs. Kraning owned and operated the theatre until they sold it to Thomas Ferree in 1970.
Performers such as Climax Blues Band, Kansas, Golden Earring and Lynyrd Skynyrd appeared at the Rivoli. In November of 1974, screen legend Gloria Swanson made a personal appearance at the Rivoli to talk about her 60 year film career and also to introduce the film “Queen Kelly”, the last silent movie she starred in 1929.
In 1976, Mr. Ferree sold the theatre to Charles Chulchian. Mr. Chulchian operated the theatre as an adult movie house and eventually closed the theater in 1992. The Rivoli Theatre was acquired by the Rivoli Center for the Performing Arts, Inc in 2007, and restoration efforts started.
