Lensic Theater, Mediterranean Revival performing arts center in Santa Fe, United States
The Lensic Theater is a performing arts venue on San Francisco Street in downtown Santa Fe, built in the Mediterranean Revival and Moorish Revival styles. Arched doorways, decorative tilework, and warm earth tones on the facade carry through into the interior, where a single large hall forms the heart of the building.
The theater was designed by the Boller Brothers and opened in 1931 by Nathan Salmon and E. John Greer, originally as a movie house. Over the following decades it transitioned into a live performance venue and underwent a major renovation in the early 2000s.
The Lensic draws a wide range of people, from school groups to longtime regulars who attend concerts and dance shows throughout the season. The lobby displays photographs from the building's past, giving visitors a sense of how the space has been used over the decades.
The Lensic sits in the heart of downtown Santa Fe and is within walking distance of most hotels and restaurants in the area. Booking tickets in advance is a good idea, as the hall fills quickly for popular events.
The name Lensic is made up of the first letters of E. John Greer's grandchildren's names. This hidden family tribute is not marked anywhere inside the building, making it one of those details that most visitors never discover on their own.
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