Imperial Theatre, Historic theatre in downtown Augusta, United States

The Imperial Theatre is an 853-seat theater in downtown Augusta, Georgia, on Broad Street in the Broad Street Historic District. Architect G. Lloyd Preacher designed it in the Victorian Renaissance style for impresario Jake Wells, and it opened on February 18, 1918. It is the only operating historic theater in Augusta.

The Imperial Theatre began in 1917 as the Wells Theatre, a vaudeville showcase founded by impresario Jake Wells and designed by architect G. Lloyd Preacher in the Victorian Renaissance style for $47,792. A 1918 Spanish flu quarantine forced Wells to sell to Lynch Enterprises, and the house was renamed the Imperial. In 1929 it was renovated into a full-time Art Deco movie house, closing in 1981 and reopening in 1985 as a performing arts venue.

The theatre serves as a central gathering space for local arts groups and musicians who perform here regularly and connect with their audiences. Its red velvet seats and classical interiors create a shared experience that brings the community together throughout the year.

The theatre is located downtown in Augusta and is easily accessible on foot, with parking available nearby for visitors. The interior spaces are climate-controlled and designed for comfort during longer events.

Charlie Chaplin performed here in 1918 to support war bonds, marking a memorable moment tied to Hollywood history. This connection to a famous entertainer remains an interesting chapter in the building's past.