Cambridge Performing Arts Center

Historic Theaters
CASE Studies

Current Name of Theater: Cambridge Performaing Arts Center
Current Type:  Performing Arts Theater
Seats: 794
Website: cambridgeperformingartscenter.org
Historic Names of Theater: The Stand Theatre
Address: 642 Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge, OH 43725 United States
Contact: 740.432.2022
Year Built/ Style: 1907
Original Architect:
Original Cost:
Listed on National Register: no
History of Theater:
The seating capacity was listed as 250. The Strand Theatre opened in 1915 at 642 Wheeling Avenue and closed in 1958. The first theatre on the site of the Strand Theatre was the Avenue, which opened on January 23, 1907. Later that year the Avenue Theatre became the Orpheum Theatre, managed by Charles and George Hammond. Opening night was October 22, 1907.
The Orpheum was not a plus theatre and it only seated about 100 people, but it’s Vaudeville shows were the rage of the day. Prices were 5 and 10 cents, with 5 cent seats being chairs in the back and the 10 cent seats being benches up front. For variety, the management hanged shows three times a week so there were always new acts appearing on the Orpheum’s stage. It was open every evening at 7:15 and 8:15 o’clock.
The Orpheum closed on April 15, 1915 and a new theatre, the Strand, was then built on the same site at a cost of $50,000 including $10,000 for a fine pipe organ. It opened on the day before Thanksgiving, 1915 with a movie called “Graustark”, starring Beverly Bane, Francis X., Bushman and Edna Mayo.
The Strand continued to operate as a movie theatre for 43 years until closed in 1958 by it’s then owners, the Shea Corporation. Two generations of Guernsey County movie-goers had grown up with fond memories of the Saturday matinees, the serials and the cowboy shows at the Strand.
Cost of Rehabilitation
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Renovation Story:
.In 1976 the Cambridge Performing Arts Centre was organized under the directions of Don Mercer for the purpose of restoring the Strand Theatre as a place where live theatrical entertainment could again be presented in Cambridge, and on September 10, 1977, after almost 20 years rest, it’s doors reopened with the musical “Gypsy”. Subsequently, the Cambridge Performing Arts Centre merged with the Cambridge Community Theatre and with funds bequeathed by the late Sara Cowgill, purchased the building. Live Theatrical entertainment will continue to be presented “for the enjoyment and edification of out patrons”