Springfield’s crown jewel of entertainment is celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime milestone! Grace sits down with Gillioz Theatre Executive Director Geoff Steele to dive into the venue’s rich, 100-year history—including its miraculous rescue from being demolished into a parking lot after sitting dark for over two decades. Geoff also pulls back the curtain on the misconception surrounding the venue’s marquee concerts, explaining why the historic theater operates as a nonprofit where only about a dime of every ticket dollar stays in-house to keep the historic doors open.
🎧 Listen to the full episode now to get all the details on the Gillioz 100 Centennial Celebration happening Sunday, October 11th—exactly 100 years to the day after opening and 20 years to the day since its 2006 rebirth! The afternoon party is completely free to the public, featuring vintage silent films, live performances from resident companies like the Missouri Jazz Orchestra and Ozark Lyric Opera, and of course, birthday cake! Tickets are moving fast and must be reserved by calling the box office directly (limit 4 per person) to ensure a packed house. Tune in to hear the full story and learn how to support this downtown landmark at gillioz.org! 🎟️✨