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.