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Strand Theater (Zelienople)
Encyclopedia
The Strand Theater is a performing arts, film and community center in the borough
of Zelienople
, Pennsylvania
, United States of America.
) in downtown Zelienople. It is one of the oldest movie theaters in Butler County
. The theater was not only used for showing feature film
s, but was also used as a performing arts
center. It featured silent films with live piano accompaniment as well as Vaudeville-style shows on its small stage.
During its long run as a theater, it was owned and/or managed by the Sapienza, Evans, Thomas, and Nalevanko families, all from Zelienople. Local teenage boys and girls were hired as ushers for many years, showing customers to their seats with a flashlight. The price of admission for adults was 10 cents during the 1930's and 50 cents during the 1950's (children under 12 for less).
The Strand closed down in the mid 1980s and sat abandoned for over 20 years. One of the last films shown there was Top Gun
with a release date of May 12, 1986. Another was Wildcats
with a release date Feb 14, 1986.
In 2001, the Strand Theater Initiative was formed by the residents of Zelienople and surrounding communities in hopes of saving the structure. Over the next four years, the initiative would set up certain activities in the area to help with the fundraising. By 2006, enough funds were collected to start the renovation process.
In the summer of 2007, work began on the interior of the theater, as the floor and seats were removed for the building restoration
. A complete rebuilding of the structure began in the spring of 2008 and took nearly a year to complete. The theater reopened in late July 2009.
Special events at the Strand include a new Concert Series, as well as "Northern Nightmares" that takes place during the Halloween season.
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
of Zelienople
Zelienople, Pennsylvania
Zelienople is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburgh. The population was 4,123 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , of which 98% is land and 1.35% is water....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States of America.
History
The Strand Theater was constructed and managed by Gioachino and Rosalia Sapienza in 1914 along Main Street (U.S. Route 19U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
) in downtown Zelienople. It is one of the oldest movie theaters in Butler County
Butler County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile . There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 per square mile...
. The theater was not only used for showing feature film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s, but was also used as a performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
center. It featured silent films with live piano accompaniment as well as Vaudeville-style shows on its small stage.
During its long run as a theater, it was owned and/or managed by the Sapienza, Evans, Thomas, and Nalevanko families, all from Zelienople. Local teenage boys and girls were hired as ushers for many years, showing customers to their seats with a flashlight. The price of admission for adults was 10 cents during the 1930's and 50 cents during the 1950's (children under 12 for less).
The Strand closed down in the mid 1980s and sat abandoned for over 20 years. One of the last films shown there was Top Gun
Top Gun
Top Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
with a release date of May 12, 1986. Another was Wildcats
Wildcats (film)
Wildcats is a 1986 film starring Goldie Hawn and costarring Jan Hooks and Swoosie Kurtz. It is the film debut of Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. They also appeared together in White Men Can't Jump and Money Train...
with a release date Feb 14, 1986.
In 2001, the Strand Theater Initiative was formed by the residents of Zelienople and surrounding communities in hopes of saving the structure. Over the next four years, the initiative would set up certain activities in the area to help with the fundraising. By 2006, enough funds were collected to start the renovation process.
In the summer of 2007, work began on the interior of the theater, as the floor and seats were removed for the building restoration
Building restoration
Building restoration describes a particular treatment approach and philosophy within the field of architectural conservation. According the U.S...
. A complete rebuilding of the structure began in the spring of 2008 and took nearly a year to complete. The theater reopened in late July 2009.
Current Events
The Strand Theater currently shows classic and new movies Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Sundays during the afternoon. The theater is also available for private rentals.Special events at the Strand include a new Concert Series, as well as "Northern Nightmares" that takes place during the Halloween season.