Milane Theatre Collection
Dublin Core
Title
Milane Theatre Collection
Alternative Title
Milane Collection
Subject
Sanford (Fla.)
Buildings--Florida
Theaters--Florida
Film industry (Motion pictures)
Description
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the plans for the Milane. The name of the new theater was derived from the combination of the Milane Amusement Company president and vice president: Frank L. Miller and Edward F. Lane, respectively. The Milane opened in July of 1923 and seated 823 patrons.
In 1933, the Milane was sold to Frank and Stella Evans, investors from Lake Mary, Florida. The new owners renamed their business the Ritz Theater and held the property until the 1990s. However, the Ritz struggled financially in the 1960s and closed in 1978 due to failure to compete with the new multiplex theaters. The building remained vacant until 1984, when it reopened as the Showtime Cantina. The Showtime Cantina closed in 1988 and remained vacant and in decay.
In the mid-1990s, Ritz Community Theater Projects, Inc. acquired the property and began rehabilitation in 1998. On May 6, 2000, the theater reopened as the Helen Stairs Theatre in honor of the citizen who led the restoration project, Helen Stairs. The following year, the location was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2008, additional renovations were completed and the theater was renamed the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in honor of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust Fund for contributing to the renovations fund.
In 1933, the Milane was sold to Frank and Stella Evans, investors from Lake Mary, Florida. The new owners renamed their business the Ritz Theater and held the property until the 1990s. However, the Ritz struggled financially in the 1960s and closed in 1978 due to failure to compete with the new multiplex theaters. The building remained vacant until 1984, when it reopened as the Showtime Cantina. The Showtime Cantina closed in 1988 and remained vacant and in decay.
In the mid-1990s, Ritz Community Theater Projects, Inc. acquired the property and began rehabilitation in 1998. On May 6, 2000, the theater reopened as the Helen Stairs Theatre in honor of the citizen who led the restoration project, Helen Stairs. The following year, the location was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2008, additional renovations were completed and the theater was renamed the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in honor of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust Fund for contributing to the renovations fund.
Contributor
Cepero, Laura Lynn
Is Part Of
Sanford Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Language
eng
Coverage
Opera House, Downtown Sanford, Florida
Star Theatre, Downtown Sanford, Florida
Milane Theatre, Downtown Sanford, Florida
Ritz Theatre, Downtown Sanford, Florida
Showtime Cantina, Downtown Sanford, Florida
Helen Stairs Theatre, Downtown Sanford, Florida
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, Downtown Sanford, Florida
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
External Reference
"Helen Stairs Theatre." StageClick. http://www.stageclick.com/venue/457.aspx.
"Theater History." Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center. http://www.wdpac.com/footer-menu/theater-history/.
"Theater History." Seminole County: Florida's Natural Choice. http://www.visitseminole.com/listingdetail/53/wayne-densch-performing-arts-center.aspx.
Collection Items
Helen Stairs Theatre, 2000
The Helen Stairs Theatre after restoration in 2000. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects…
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center Ticket Booth
The ticket booth at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and…
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center Stage
The theater stage of the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and…
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center Lobby
The lobby of the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing,…
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 2011
The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, located at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Downtown Sanford, Florida in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star…
Stage Curtain at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
The stage curtain at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and…
Milane Theatre Marker
An original engraving at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs…
Original Ladder at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
An original ladder backstage at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house.…
Milane Theatre Cornerstone
Original cornerstonefor the Milane Theatre, which was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the plans for the Milane. The…
Historic Preservation Award for the Helen Stairs Theatre
The Sanford Historic Trust's Historic Preservation Award presented to the Helen Stairs Theatre in 2000. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an…
Balcony at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
The theater balcony at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs…
Stage Entrance at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
The current stage entrance of the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, which was formerly the segregated colored entrance at the Milane Theatre and later the Ritz Theater.
Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South…
Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South…
Audience Seating Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
The theater at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in 2011. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing,…
Former Ritz Theatre Building, 1989
The former Ritz Theater building in 1989. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from…
Southwest Side of the Ritz Theatre
The Ritz Theater. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the plans…
Ritz Theatre Presents the Hit Music Godspell
Flyer for the Ritz Theater's presentation of Godspell at the Sanford Civic Center. Godspell is a musical produced by Stephen Schwartz based on a book by John Michael Tebelak. The play originally opened on Broadway on May 17, 1971. The musical…
Northwest View of the Ritz Theatre
Ritz Theater. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the plans for the Milane.…
Ritz Theatre Before Renovations
Ritz Theatre in 1996, before its restoration. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from…
Showtime Cantina, 1989
Showtime Cantina in 1989. Originally the Milane Theatre, the building was constructed at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the…
Corner View of the Ritz Theatre, 1930s
Corner view of the Ritz Theater from South Magnolia Avenue and East Second Street in the 1930s.
Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie…
Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie…
Ritz Theatre, 1930s
Ritz Theater in the 1930s. Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the plans…
Ritz Theater, 1936
Movie-goers in line at the Ritz Theater in 1936. Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia,…
Ritz Theatre, 1950s
Photograph of the Ritz Theater in the 1950s.
Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia,…
Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia,…
On the Stage: America's Greatest Hillbilly Comedian Cousin Wilbur
Advertisement for Cousin Wilbur, a "hillbilly comedian", and the Tennessee Mountaineers' performance at the Ritz Theater on May 19, 1946.
Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former…
Originally the Milane Theatre, the Ritz was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former…
Filming at the Ritz Theater
Extras outside the Ritz Theatre during the filming of Sealed With a Kiss, produced by Valencia Community College. The film was produced by about 350 students and took over a year to complete. Sealed With a Kiss is about a love story that spans three…
Letter from David Pearlman to Helen L. Stairs (June 13, 1994)
Letter to Helen L. Stairs from David Pearlman confirming the sale of the Ritz Theatre to RCT Projects, Inc.
Originally the Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned…
Originally the Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned…
Audience at the Ritz Theater
Anudience at a showing at the Ritz Theater. Originally the Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the…
Ticket Booth at Milane Theatre A Thing of Beauty
Newspaper article on the Milane Theatre's ticket booth, designed by H. S. Selleck and built by Sanford Novelty Works.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie…
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie…
Sanford's Broadcast Hour
Newspaper article announcing WJZ's broadcast from the Milane Theatre planned to air June 25, 1926.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and…
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and…
Sanford Scores an Epic Hit 'On Air': Reaches 8,000,000 Listeners with Solid Facts
Newspaper article on the WJZ broadcast at the Milane Theatre of a Sanford and Seminole County program of information and music to an audience of 8,000,000 radio listeners.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the…
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the…
Opera House
Photograph of the Opera House in Sanford, Florida. The Opera House was first replaced by the Star Theatre and then later the Milane Theatre.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia,…
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia,…
Milane Theatre Opened Last Night to Record Breaking House and Could Not Accommodate Any More: But Same Picture Will Be Shown Tonight for Those Who Failed to Get Seats
Newspaper article about the opening of the newly-built Milane Theatre, which was highly successful with a sold out house.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned…
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned…
Let's Go to the Show: Entertainment Menu for Week Beginning July 24th
Newspaper article on the upcoming entertainment showings at the Milane Theatre for the week of July 24, 1926. Shows included Mantrap, Eve's Leaves, and Ranson's Folly.The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former…
Let's Go to the Show: Entertainment Menu for Week Beginning July 19th
Newspaper sectional on the upcoming entertainment showings at the Milane Theatre for the week of July 19, 1926. Shows included Old Loves and New, The Little Irish Girl, The Fighting Heart, Sweet Daddies, and The Greater Glory.The Milane Theatre was…
First Showing of Sanford Picture at Milane Theatre: Is a Bright, Clear Picture and Sure to Draw Large Crowd When Shown
Newspaper article on the showing of a film at the Milane Theatre that would depict scenes in Sanford, Florida. Such scenes include the construction of new buildings, images of Sanford High School and South Side Primary School, and pictures of local…
Country Store Night Friday at the Milane
Newspaper article listing the prizes donated by various merchants for the Milane Theatre's Country Store Night. Merchants included J. M. Gillon, Baumel's Specialty Shop, W. H. White, Ball Hardware Company, T. J. Miller & Son, P. Weinberg, the…
This Week in Sanford: Amusement Section (June 28, 1926)
Advertisement for the Milane Theatre's feature showing of The Cave Man, as well as a fashion show called "The Storm" for the week of June 28, 1926. The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star Theatre, an…
This Week in Sanford: Amusement Section (June 21, 1926)
Advertisement for the Milane Theatre's feature showing of Just Suppose, for the week of June 21, 1926.The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing,…
Amateur Night a Treat
Newspaper article on Amateur Night at the Milane Theatre, located in Sanford, Florida. Juanita Smith won first prize and Wema Graves came in second.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star…
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue, the former location of the Star…
Collection Tree
- Seminole County Collection
- Sanford Collection
- Milane Theatre Collection
- Sanford Collection