Part III - Culture, a supplement to the Big Rapids Pioneer Newspaper. Used with permission.



BRINGING THE ARTS TO THE PEOPLE
The Colonial Theatre (now Big Rapids Theatre). the former Grand Theatre and the old Opera House were all early representatives of the entertainment industry in Big Rapids.

The Colonial Theatre (middle right) first opened at the site of the Big Rapids Theatre as an opera house in the days that touring opera companies toured all the towns with facilities. The Colonial had a beautiful curving balcony (horseshoe), and the front seats in the center section were prize positions.

It was here that for many years the Ferris Faculty presented their annual play for the merriment of the students. It was the same play with variations each year and was a much-looked-forward to event for what at that time, passed for the homecoming celebration.

The Colonial Theatre Orchestra (bothom right) posed for a picture in 1908. In 1917 the Grand Theatre (inside and outside pictured below) was run by George Grahm and Gordon Darrah. It was located north of the present Artworks location on Michigan Avenue.

It's not clear if the stage (right) was in the Colonial Theatre or the opera house that was located on the third floor of what was often referred to as the Opera Building built by C.C. Fuller at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Elm Street or the Grand. Notice that advertisements were prominent at the theatre back then, as well. (Pioneer file photos)

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