Malco Theatre

The Malco Theatre is a performance venue in Hot Springs, Arkansas, known for its Art Deco style with seating across an orchestra level and balcony section. The building displays signature design details from that era and serves as home to performances and cultural programming today.

The building was constructed in 1935 on the site of the former Princess Theatre, which had been destroyed by fire. In 1936, M.A. Lightman acquired and renamed it the Malco Theatre.

This venue enforced separation through distinct entrances for different groups until 1964, a division that shaped how people moved through the space. The Broadway entrance remains as one of only two surviving examples of segregated theatre architecture in the nation.

The venue sits in the downtown area along Central Avenue and is easily reached on foot. It remains active with performances and events, welcoming visitors through its main and historic entrances.

During the Cold War, the building earned designation as a bomb shelter because of its reinforced steel beams and concrete walls. This sturdy construction ultimately helped preserve it for decades to come.

Location: Arkansas

GPS coordinates: 34.51056,-93.05417

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23