Akron Opera House

Akron Opera House
Akron, Iowa

Now officially on the National Register of Historic Places

The Akron Opera House, currently being restored to its turn-of-the-century glory, is one of Iowa's remaining historical gems which community spirit has kept alive.

Built in 1905, the Opera House held its first performance, "The Homeseekers," in February 1906. Over the next 100 years, an array of live performances played at the Opera House -- chautaquas, theater, lyccum speeches, medicine shows and opera. Akron was on the Pembina rail line, which brought traveling troupes of actors, musicians and politicians to rural communities.

Estimates are that Iowa's rural communities built over 1200 opera houses. Less than 300 still exist today. During the Depression, when the Akron Opera House was closed to performances, Akron refused to let it deteriorate beyond renovation. The building continued to be rented to local businesses.

In 1970, high school drama teacher, Mr. Richard Jacobs and his drama group of 60 students, organized volunteer and community energy to reopen the opera house. Newspaper accounts describe drama students rehearsing plays amid the noise of construction. Volunteers rebuilt the stage with lumber from an old church and found and salvaged theater seats from an old movie house. Local women sewed a stage curtain, and someone donated a piano. Historical accounts also claim that 400 resident bats were removed from the building. Since then, the theater group has celebrated 34 years of local productions. In 1974, the Akron Community Theater purchased the building and continued to update and restore it.

Today, the opera house is being revitalized once again so that the community can continue to share its rich tradition of live performances.

2013 - 2014 Season Events

October 12 - Improv Group: Wayne Blum and Friends, "Dinner For Two"

October 25 & 26 - Comedy: "Rex's Exes" directed by Tim Blum
November 1, 2 & 3 - Comedy: "Rex's Exes" directed by Tim Blum

December 14 - The Brown's Christmas Show

January 24, 25, 26 & 31 - Comedy: "The Odd Couple" directed by Karen
Taylor-Mortensen
February 1 & 2 - Comedy: "The Odd Couple" directed by Karen Taylor-Mortensen

February 21 & 22 - Local Talent Show: "We've Got Talent"

April 4, 5, 11, 12 & 13 - Musical: "Little Shop of Horrors" directed by Wayne Blum

May 3 - Musical Performance: "Oldies But Goodies" with Doc Walker and Friends

For Reservations Contact Karen At tmsphoto@hickorytech.net
Or Call: 712.568.2614

Ticket Prices:

        Single Event
                Adults $16
          Seniors (65 and older) $13
                Students $8

        Six Ticket Package (Basic Akron Opera House Membership)
               Adults $85 ($14 per ticket)
               Seniors $75 ($12.50 per ticket)
               Use these tickets and share them however you wish to any show.
                Example: 2 tickets for 3 shows.

       Seven Ticket Package (Sustaining Akron Opera House Membership)
               Adults $85 ($12 per ticket)
               Seniors $70 ($10 per ticket)
               One ticket for each show. No sharing

       Benefactor Akron Opera House Membership
               Anyone contributing between $200 and $500 will be listed in our programs as
                a Benefactor. They will recieve two full season tickets.

       Sponsor level of membership will be given to those donating more than $500.
        They will also receive two full season tickets and have special recognition.

        Send payment to:
                Akron Opera House
                151 Reed Street
                Akron, IA 51001

Questions? Please contact Doug Olson at daolson@hickorytech.net

The Akron Opera House is a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for supporting the Akron Opera House and The Arts.


	Akron Opera House Akron, Iowa Now officially on the National Register of Historic Places
The Akron Opera House, currently being restored to its turn-of-the-century glory, is one of Iowa's remaining historical gems which community spirit has kept alive. Built in 1905, the Opera House held its first performance, "The Homeseekers," in February 1906. Over the next 100 years, an array of live performances played at the Opera House -- chautaquas, theater, lyccum speeches, medicine shows and opera. Akron was on the Pembina rail line, which brought traveling troupes of actors, musicians and politicians to rural communities. Estimates are that Iowa's rural communities built over 1200 opera houses. Less than 300 still exist today. During the Depression, when the Akron Opera House was closed to performances, Akron refused to let it deteriorate beyond renovation. The building continued to be rented to local businesses. In 1970, high school drama teacher, Mr. Richard Jacobs and his drama group of 60 students, organized volunteer and community energy to reopen the opera house. Newspaper accounts describe drama students rehearsing plays amid the noise of construction. Volunteers rebuilt the stage with lumber from an old church and found and salvaged theater seats from an old movie house. Local women sewed a stage curtain, and someone donated a piano. Historical accounts also claim that 400 resident bats were removed from the building. Since then, the theater group has celebrated 34 years of local productions. In 1974, the Akron Community Theater purchased the building and continued to update and restore it. Today, the opera house is being revitalized once again so that the community can continue to share its rich tradition of live performances.	2013 - 2014 Season Events October 12 - Improv Group: Wayne Blum and Friends, "Dinner For Two" October 25 & 26 - Comedy: "Rex's Exes" directed by Tim Blum November 1, 2 & 3 - Comedy: "Rex's Exes" directed by Tim Blum December 14 - The Brown's Christmas Show January 24, 25, 26 & 31 - Comedy: "The Odd Couple" directed by Karen Taylor-Mortensen February 1 & 2 - Comedy: "The Odd Couple" directed by Karen Taylor-Mortensen February 21 & 22 - Local Talent Show: "We've Got Talent" April 4, 5, 11, 12 & 13 - Musical: "Little Shop of Horrors" directed by Wayne Blum May 3 - Musical Performance: "Oldies But Goodies" with Doc Walker and Friends For Reservations Contact Karen At tmsphoto@hickorytech.net Or Call: 712.568.2614 Ticket Prices: Single Event Adults $16 Seniors (65 and older) $13 Students $8 Six Ticket Package (Basic Akron Opera House Membership) Adults $85 ($14 per ticket) Seniors $75 ($12.50 per ticket) Use these tickets and share them however you wish to any show. Example: 2 tickets for 3 shows. Seven Ticket Package (Sustaining Akron Opera House Membership) Adults $85 ($12 per ticket) Seniors $70 ($10 per ticket) One ticket for each show. No sharing Benefactor Akron Opera House Membership Anyone contributing between $200 and $500 will be listed in our programs as a Benefactor. They will recieve two full season tickets. Sponsor level of membership will be given to those donating more than $500. They will also receive two full season tickets and have special recognition. Send payment to: Akron Opera House 151 Reed Street Akron, IA 51001 Questions? Please contact Doug Olson at daolson@hickorytech.net The Akron Opera House is a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible. Thank you for supporting the Akron Opera House and The Arts.