Paramount Theatre Technical Information

UPDATED – September 1, 2022

Paramount Theatre Staff Contact List

BUILDING HISTORY:

The Paramount Theatre, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of just 300 movie palaces left in the United States according to a story in USA Today.  Built in the architecturally extravagant 1920's, the theatre annually hosts concerts, fund raisers, corporate meetings, dance recitals and a Broadway Series. It is home to Orchestra Iowa and the Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society.

 

Cedar Rapids is extremely fortunate to have the Paramount Theatre as a performing arts center.  In November 1926, a conference was held discussing plans to build the theatre.  By April 1927, work was well underway on the foundation of the building, and by September 1, 1928, the theatre opened as the Capitol Theatre.  For one year the Capitol provided a live stage show with a full range of comedians, singers, dancers, acrobats, along with an audience sing-along, the Wurlitzer organ and a film.  When the theatre was built, they wanted to make it like a palace, with everything being high class.

MAILING ADDRESS:

Mailing & Shipping Address:

Paramount Theatre

123 3rd Avenue SE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Physical Address:

Paramount Theatre

123 3rd Avenue South East

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

DIRECTIONS:

Approaching on I-380 Southbound:

Take Exit 20B to First Avenue (HWY 151) and go (right) on First Avenue. Follow First Avenue to First Street turn, left on First Street, proceed to Third Avenue, and turn left on Third Avenue. The Paramount Theatre is located on the South Side (your right) of Third Avenue. Load-In door and Backstage door are located on the backside of the Theatre on Fourth Avenue at ground level. Go past the Theatre and turn right onto Second Street, then turn right onto Fourth Avenue. Load-In door and back stage door are located on the North side of Fourth Avenue (your right).

Approaching on I-380 Northbound:

Take Exit 19A staying in the far right lane. Follow Third Street to Third Avenue, turn right on Third Avenue and follow Third Avenue across the bridge to the Paramount Theatre.  The Paramount Theatre is located on the South Side (your right) of Third Avenue. Load-In door and Backstage door are located on the backside of the Theatre on Fourth Avenue at ground level. Go past the Theatre and turn right onto Second Street, then turn right onto Fourth Avenue. Load-In door and back stage door are located on the North side of Fourth Avenue (your right).

DRIVING DISTANCES:

DRIVING DISTANCES TO CEDAR RAPIDS:

Chicago, IL---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Des Moines, IA----------------------------------------------------------------------

Iowa City/Coralville, IA------------------------------------------------------------

Kansas City, MO---------------------------------------------------------------------

Madison, WI--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee, WI-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN---------------------------------------------------------

Omaha, NE---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quad Cities--------------------------------------------------------------------------

St. Louis, MO------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA----------------------------------------------------------

 

223

114

28

310

167

242

268

253

79

288

55

 

Street Address: 123 3rd Avenue SE – Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401