The Missouri Theater opened June 25, 1927 with Rough House Rosie as the feature. It cost one-million dollars to build and we have just completed a $1.9 million renovation including carpet, paint, restroom and dressing room updates, stage lights, sound upgrades and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Past events have included Sheri Lewis, Shirley Jones, George Carlin, Kansas, St. Louis Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Goeffrey Ballet, Hal Linden, Moscow Ballet, the Presleys, the Baldkobbers, Foggy River Boys, Box Car Willie, Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri Teen Pageants, various dance recitals. We are home to our resident theatre company, the Robidoux Resident Theatre, as well as the St. Joseph Symphony and the Performing Arts Association. The Allied Arts Council also resides in our office complex.

Old newspaper clippings
This is a PDF file that contains some old newspaper clippings regarding the Missouri Theater and its grand opening in 1927.

Renovations Completed in 2002

• The eight lobby doors were replaced with new insulated doors (old ones were wood) and painted.
• 2 new cast grilles were installed inside the lobby to match 2 existing grilles
• Extensive plaster patching throughout the theater to repair crack and crumbling interior walls.
• The drinking fountain was restored to it’s original appearance and updated with a chiller added.
• Wood doors were removed from theater entrance (inside by lobby) and replaced with drapes.
• The back curtains over the glass were replaced as well as new brass rods
• A new permanent mixer board is being installed at the back of the theater in the sound monitoring position.
• All new carpet both upstairs and downstairs along with the Mezzanine.
• The entire interior of the theater has been repainted to match it’s original colors.
• The green room (ready room under the stage) was repainted and carpeted.
• A vinyl covering was installed in the stairways by the dressing rooms.
• 2 new marquee signs at the entrance of the theater.
• Seats were all steam cleaned.
• Women’s and Men’s restrooms on Mezzanine redesigned, enlarged, painted, papered, new flooring and all new fixtures.
• All lighting repaired or replaced.
• The sound system will be totally replaced.
• A sound shell was purchased for the stage.
• A new masonite surface was put on the stage floor.
• New roof vents and heating system repairs.
• 2 new boilers to replace the old boiler.
• A sprinkler system was installed.
• A new coat-check room was created on the Mezzanine.
• 2 New chandeliers as you enter the lobby were presented to the theater by Friends of the Theater, and are supposed to match the original lights that were there.