Strand Theater

In May 1923, it was announced in the Shreveport Times that a new 2500 seat opera house would be built totaling $750,000. In October 1923, construction began.

The people causing this to happen were the Saenger Brothers and Ehrlich Brothers. The Saenger Brothers lived in Shreveport and were both pharmacists who owned and operated a drug store. In their drug store was a 1 cent coin operated "kinetograph" peepshow machine. These machines were also known as "movie-ollas". Customers dropped a penny in the machine, turned the handle, and they saw moving pictures.

The Saengers became interested in moving pictures through this machine. They saw an opportunity in the movie business and after some research and contact with the Ehrlich Brothers, who already owned and operated the Majestic theatre at 601 Milam Street, the Saengers decided to embark on a joint venture with them. Their first was the "Saenger Theatre" at 620 Milam Street (Capri).

They had already purchased the property The Strand is located on and knew it would be an ideal location for a beautiful opera house and movie theatre. So The Strand turned out to be the "flagship" of their chain of 320 theatres in the south. It was on July 3, 1925 that the Strand Theatre opened with a production of "The Chocolate Soldier," a comic opera. In 1927 the Saenger Brothers moved their corporate base to New Orleans, and between the years of 1928-1929, Saenger Theatres, Inc. sold to Para-Paramount Publix for a reported $10 million.

Over the years the Strand has undergone many physical and cultural changes, as detailed here.

Today we reap the benefits of all of these efforts by many to rescue, restore and reopen this magnificent theatre. It is a treasure in our communities that has been recognized nationally first by USA Weekend and the AMC Magazine as one of the top 5 glitziest theatres for live performance anywhere in the country.

We provide a convincing alternative to today's video world by exposing children and adults to the exciting reality of diverse live entertainment. Exposing young people to the highest quality artistic experience is something The Strand Board is dedicated to, so in addition to our regular season of productions, we also have a children's series, which brings 12,000 children to the theatre annually for school performances. This is in addition to the public performances offered for children.

Currently, we are working very hard as an organization to be a part of what is happening in Shreveport and Bossier, in order to help bring about positive change. We see great possibilities with The Strand serving as the hub of an entertainment district - reaching out to both sides of the river. We feel this would offer our communities a unique and compelling tool in the economic development arena and would reinforce the concept of this area as a destination not only for tourists but also for companies seeking a new home. Today we reap the benefits of all of these efforts by many to rescue, restore and reopen this magnificent theatre. It is a treasure in our communities that has been recognized nationally first by USA Weekend and the AMC Magazine as one of the top 5 glitziest theatres for live performance anywhere in the country.

We provide a convincing alternative to today's video world by exposing children and adults to the exciting reality of diverse live entertainment. Exposing young people to the highest quality artistic experience is something The Strand Board is dedicated to, so in addition to our regular season of productions, we also have a children's series, which brings 12,000 children to the theatre annually for school performances. This is in addition to the public performances offered for children.

Currently, we are working very hard as an organization to be a part of what is happening in Shreveport and Bossier, in order to help bring about positive change. We see great possibilities with The Strand serving as the hub of an entertainment district - reaching out to both sides of the river. We feel this would offer our communities a unique and compelling tool in the economic development arena and would reinforce the concept of this area as a destination not only for tourists but also for companies seeking a new home.