A closer look at The Michigan and The State Theaters.

By Joseph Stromski II

Housing two unique auditoriums, the Michigan Theater has secured its place as one of the best places in the area to catch a film or live performance.

Built in 1928, the Michigan Theater got its start during the silent film era screening films accompanied by livemusic in what’s now known as “The Historic Auditorium.” This auditorium, which was renovated to its original condition about 30 years ago after nearing demolition, is the current home of Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, many live performances and one of the few remaining Barton Theater Pipe Organs.

The Screening Room, added in 1999, consists of state-of-the-art digital projection and sound systems and allows the Michigan Theater to show the independent, foreign and documentary films that its famous for on a regular basis. The Michigan Theater has also gained worldwide fame as a result of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, now in its forty-ninth year, that attracts over 2,500 entries from more than 60 countries; and playing host to the Sundance Film Festival for select showings.

The State Theater, located above Urban Outfitters, can easily be considered the counterpart to The Michigan Theater, as they were both created as “movie palaces,” and managed by the same company. The State Theater, however, is reserved solely for viewing movies. And much like The Michigan, it has gained its fame for primarily showing independent films and having midnight showings of cult classics such as “The Big Lebowski” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

So the next time you’re in the mood to catch a great flick, be sure to check out either the Michigan Theater or theState Theater for an experience you won’t soon forget.

For show times, visit: www.michtheater.org