Las Vegas’ only indie movie and performance theater
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In case you missed it, The Beverly Theater broke ground last Friday, October 29. The unconventional ceremony hinted at what’s to come from what will be Las Vegas’ only indie movie house and performance theater. Located at 517 S 6th St. next to The Writer’s Block, the innovative space is expected to debut mid to late 2022.
“This will be a true house of art,” founding creative director Kip Kelly said. “We will have live performances, we will have film, we will have live music, we will have live poetry slams.”
The Beverly Theater’s Grand Opening
Much of that was on display at the ceremony. Raiders bandleader David Perrico performed with the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts’ Jazz Band. RJ Owens, who plays Bebe Francois in Cirque’s Mystere, made an unexpected appearance, portraying a bungling construction worker who heckled Kip, then performed a poem, “Take Ground” (see the full clip on Owens page).
The promise of a brand new performance space is a daring move in 2021. But the gravity of the event — a new beginning for old traditions stolen by the pandemic — wasn’t lost on the team.
“There may not be another theater in the country that’s breaking ground today,” Kip said. “We take that very seriously.”
“We’re going to bring to you uncommon experiences,” namesake philanthropist Beverly Rogers said. “You might lean something, you might discover a new hobby, you might laugh more, you might find the love of your life.”
About Beverly Theater
When complete, the nonprofit venue will span two stories and encompass more than 14,000 square feet with three distinct areas: a main theater with over 150 seats on a retractable platform, a terrace overlooking 6th Street, and a courtyard for more intimate engagements such as book clubs. Each will have its own distinct programming.
The theater is the latest in The Rogers Foundation’s efforts to support the arts. It sits next to The Lucy, another Rogers Foundation endeavor, home to The Writer’s Block and Rogers Art Loft, which houses national and international artists for residencies right here in Downtown Las Vegas.
The Beverly Theater will be an extension of the Foundation’s offerings, serving as “a portal into experiences not yet seen in Las Vegas,” Beverly said.
Congrats, Beverly Theater!
