Lincoln Hall Theatre

University of Illinois campus Quad

Opened 21 March 1930

The cornerstone of Lincoln Hall on the University of Illinois campus was laid in ceremonies on 10 August 1910. 1  The building was formally dedicated on Lincoln's birthday, 12 February 1913.2  A theater was not part of the original construction.

A theater was later built between the north and south wings of the building with a formal entrance off the building's lobby.  The theatre met a longstanding need for dramatic facilities on campus.  Morrow Hall in the agriculture building (Davenport Hall) was far from adequate and the Auditorium did not have a stagehouse as it was cut as a cost-saving measure.  The Lincoln Hall Theatre was formally opened with a performance of "Beggar on Horseback" on Friday 21 March 1930. 3

The Lincoln Hall Theatre served as home to the Illini Theatre Guild and the University Theatre Department until the Krannert Center For the Performing Arts opened.