A Center for the Arts sponsors a wide range of programming, including live theatre, movies, a variety of music, professional and local dance companies, visual arts exhibitions and festivals, numerous workshops and literary events.

History of the Theatre

Built in 1921 as the Orpheum Theatre, with a legitimate theatre stage complete with fly loft, curtains, dressing rooms and seating capacity for 200, the main focus was on vaudeville and other live theatre performances. As silent movies came on the horizon, the theatre began to change. Soon “talkies” became the rage and movies were in full swing. The Orpheum Theatre was a popular show place that comfortably accommodated both stage productions and film.    

In 1952, the theatre was gutted. The stage and dressing rooms were removed and the fly loft was abandoned for air conditioning equipment. A new marquee, with traveling lights and neon signs, advertised the newest movie releases. The theatre could now seat 800 people, and new projection equipment was capable of showing cinemascope formatted movies. The Fergus Theatre continued to operate as a movie theatre until the 1970s when it fell victim to the popularity of television. The theatre was closed for a couple of years and then reopened briefly as an “R” rated movie theatre. It was shut down by popular demand.    

“The Old Tyme Variety Players” arranged with owner Gordon Bakken to rehearse in the front of the Fergus Theatre in the early 1980s. With no stage at the Fergus Theatre, performances were held at the Middle School. The group, which would later form what is now A Center for the Arts, leased the theatre for the summer months. In 1982, they accepted the theatre as a gift from Gordon Bakken. Three hundred seats from the front of house were removed and a thrust stage was built to accommodate musical shows and drama. The theatre no longer showed movies.

The early 1990s brought plans of change to the Fergus Theatre. Renovation was begun and over $1 million was raised to make the theatre a year-round facility. The fall of 1995 marked the reopening of the Fergus Theatre with a building that was up to code and handicapped accessible. Heating and electrical systems were updated and the lobby was completely remodeled, as were the stage and dressing room areas. The remodeled auditorium has seating for 446 and accommodates 12 wheelchairs. The renovated Theatre is now open year-round and is the home of A Center for the Arts. Year round programming includes local and touring performers and showcases music, theatre, dance and a brand new film program!

The Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ