Elks Lodge / Harvey Lang
The earliest home for local gatherings, built by Harvey Lang.
Andy Devine Ave / Harvey Lang
Known as the Lang Theater.
Corner of 4th and Beale
A strategic move toward the central downtown corridor.
The Original State Theater
Corner of 3rd and Beale: Originally the State Theater. The current site of Beale Street Theater.
The "So What?"
The progression of these buildings from small, multi-purpose lodge rooms to a dedicated, prominent structure at the corner of 3rd and Beale mirrors the economic and social revitalization of Kingman’s downtown. This move represents a shift from the arts being a nomadic community hobby to becoming a foundational pillar of our city’s identity. The establishment of the State Theater at this specific intersection anchored the cultural life of Kingman, providing a permanent home for collective imagination.While the physical building eventually found its permanent anchor, its identity would endure a series of dramatic transformations over the following decades.
A Theater of Many Faces
Following the decline of the traditional movie house era, the building entered a long period of adaptive reuse. These transitional chapters were vital to the building's survival; by serving varied community needs, the "soul" of the structure was preserved even when its original purpose was dormant.
The Movie Era Ends
After decades of serving as a cinema, the theater played its final film and shuttered its doors, marking the end of its first life as a movie palace.
The Spiritual Chapter
The building was granted a second life as Praise Chapel , serving as a house of worship and maintaining its status as a place of community gathering.
The Commercial Chapter
The space later transitioned into Boston Antiques , a thrift store that utilized the vast theater floor for local commerce, keeping the roof intact and the doors open.
The Rebirth
The modern era began when Nate and Sara Peterson purchased the building, reclaiming its cultural heritage by officially naming it the Beale Street Theater .These diverse uses acted as essential "holding patterns," preventing the structure from falling into the decay that often claims historic theaters. They kept the building standing until a larger community vision for a performing arts renaissance could take hold.
Beginning of The Renaissance
In 2018, the Kingman Center for the Arts (KCA) acquired the property, initiating a systematic restoration project to transform the historic shell into a world-class performing arts venue.
The Acquisition
KCA purchased the theater and immediately partnered with Axiom Construction to begin the rigorous process of demolition and site preparation.
Design and Funding
The project reached a major milestone when Angle Homes provided its first matching grant. This funding enabled a collaboration with architect Michael Taylor and Stage Inc to design a state-of-the-art venue within the historic frame.
Major Construction
Under the leadership of T.R. Orr Construction , the project entered its most intensive phase. This involved the installation of modern HVAC and electrical systems, professional theater lighting, and the final placement of the house seating.
The Grand Reopening
After seven years of focused effort, the Beale Street Theater opened its brand-new doors, fully realized as a cornerstone for the performing arts.
Kristina Michelson | Executive Director
Kristina is an avid participant and consumer of the arts. She has over 30 years of experience as a pianist, both in performing and teaching. She loves to accompany other artists as well as solo. Kristina has spent the last six years as executive director of Kingman Center for the Arts, overseeing the renovation plans of the historic theater into a performing arts venue and acting as executive producer to over 26 live community theater productions.
Sidney Valdez | Education and Outreach Director
Passionate about arts education and youth programs Sidney coordinates workshops and classes for aspiring performers in the Kingman community.
Carol Campbell | Gallery Coordinator
Carol is a talented photographer specializing in creative portraiture using natural light. She spent three summers traveling the United States and Canada in a truck camper and believes that travel is conducive to learning, expression, and creativity. Carol has been involved in the gallery and gift shop since 2018.
Shelby Crawford | Marketing & Community Engagement
Shelby is passionate about the arts and fostering them within our community! She graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.A. in History and minors in Art History and Museum Studies. Shelby handles Beale Street Theater's marketing, digital presence, and community outreach.
Matt Hecht | Chair Member
Matt has been involved in community theater for over 30 years. With a degree in Theater and Computer Science, he joined the Beale Street Theater renovation project from its inception and has been a cornerstone of Kingman’s community theater.
Christine Fredriksen | Chair Director
An attorney originally from Vancouver, Christine has 17 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She is a cartoonist and illustrator who previously served as the Board Chair. She currently chairs the Human Resources Committee and focuses on fundraising and policy development.
Sara Peterson | Chair Director
Amy Lowry| Chair Director
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Amy has a background in children's theater, choir, and dance instruction. A Kingman resident since 2004, she is a published author and active community volunteer who helps manage the KCA volunteer program and policy enforcement.
