About Us:
The Cascade Theatre was constructed in downtown Redding in 1935 as a 1,348-seat movie palace and vaudeville stage. One of the few theatres built during the heart of the depression, the Cascade Theatre was a magnificent example of art deco architecture in California, complete with gold and silver gilded walls, period chandeliers, ornate plasterwork, a grand neon facade and marquee and beautiful murals. But, like many downtown theatres of its era, the Cascade struggled to survive during the 1990s with the rise of shopping mall-based multiplex cinemas. In 1997, the Cascade ceased operating and its doors were boarded.
Restoration of the Cascade Theatre was completed on August 14, 2004 and the theatre was reopened as a regional non-profit performing arts center. The restoration was carried out in a way that honored the heritage of the building and was consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties while providing the functionality of a modern professional performing arts facility – complete with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and theatre technology. The Cascade Theatre is now capable of hosting a wide range of arts and cultural events, including theater, concerts, dance and film presentations.
