Sometimes, I get thrown a bone and am given writing opportunities. Here, I got to write a Flashback feature, which was extra special to me since it was focusing on old theatres, an aspect of yet another one of my passions.
Here's the original copy I gave to the art director. The publisher made a few tweaks to the final, which I will also post later so you can see how much of my work was approved.
As you read, imagine pictures of the three theatres next to the copy.
Showtime!
Entertainment has always been important to the people of Des Moines, whether it’s in the form of a movie or a live show. It’s hard to believe that, once upon a time, it was possible to satiate that appetite for the arts with just a quarter in your pocket, but that’s exactly how much an evening show at the Majestic Theatre ran for in the early 1900’s. Many people would grab a few coins and attend a live act or feature there before it was later transformed into the Garrick, a burlesque house, and finally the President, a live theatre, before it was torn down in 1938.
If none of the live shows at the Majestic Theatre sounded appealing, audience members could see what play was on stage at the Princess Theatre. If they were lucky, they might have witnessed several future vaudeville, stage, and movie stars well before their big breaks into show biz.
Making sure Des Moines was keeping up with the times, the Empress Theatre was converted from being a stage for vaudeville acts into Galaxy Cinema for moving pictures, which just goes to show how much this city evolves with its dwellers.
Thanks again, and welcome to February!
KT
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