Information
Landmark: Springer Opera HouseCity: Columbus City
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Springer Opera House, Columbus City, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
In Columbus, Georgia, the Springer Opera House anchors the city’s performing arts scene, its ornate stage and red velvet curtains steeped in history and cultural pride.Francis Joseph Springer, an immigrant from Alsace who built a thriving grocery business, founded it on February 21, 1871.He dreamed of building a place where European-style theater could take the stage, giving Columbus richer cultural experiences-like the hush before a velvet curtain lifts.The building, with its ornate brickwork and tall arched windows, stands as a fine example of Late Victorian architecture, designed by Daniel Matthew Foley.Built after the Civil War, it rose in the grand style of Southern opera houses, with sweeping arches and polished wood catching the lamplight.The theater was first built to hold a big crowd, with sound that carried clearly and sightlines so sharp you could catch every gesture, whether it was a sweeping opera, a lively play, a booming concert, or a quiet lecture.Back in 1900, the Springer Opera House got a major overhaul, adding enough seats to pack in more than 1,000 people-every chair polished and ready for the crowds.Emily Woodruff Hall, the main theater, seats around 680 people, but if you use just the first floor-those rows close enough to catch the actors’ footsteps-you can trim it down to about 450.The venue’s flexibility means it can stage grand productions with sweeping sets, yet also create cozy, close-up performances where every whisper carries.In 1978, the Springer Opera House-its ornate balconies and rich history-earned official recognition as a National Historic Landmark.This status showcases how remarkably well it’s been preserved, still echoing with music and applause as one of the city’s top performance venues.Over its long, storied history, the Springer Opera House has welcomed an impressive range of celebrated performers-from Edwin Booth’s commanding presence to Oscar Wilde’s sharp wit, Ethel Barrymore’s grace, and the stirring brass of John Philip Sousa.Known as one of the Southeast’s premier theaters, it drew major touring acts-big names that filled the stage with dazzling lights-and cemented Columbus’s place as a cultural hotspot in the region.The theater fell on hard times in the mid-20th century, but by the 1990s crews were hard at work bringing it back to life, finishing a major restoration in 1998.Thanks to these efforts, the Springer Opera House came alive again as a bustling hub for the performing arts, with plush new seats and updated lighting that still left its old-world elegance intact.Today, the Springer Opera House buzzes with life, hosting everything from gripping plays and toe-tapping musicals to concerts and special events under its warm stage lights.The venue crafts its lineup with care, mixing performances that draw in both locals and visitors-think lively jazz one night, a family play the next-so the arts stay welcoming and vibrant for all of Columbus.Coming up, the spotlight’s on modern musicals like *The Wiz*, whimsical family fare such as *Alice in Wonderland*, timeless stories like *Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors*, and big-name tours including *Disney’s Frozen* and *The Da Vinci Code*.The lineup shows the theater’s dedication to mixing crowd-pleasing hits with classic stage works, creating experiences that range from bright, bustling musicals to timeless dramas.Alongside its stage productions, the Springer Opera House pours energy into education, running the Springer Theatre Academy where young actors rehearse lines under bright, warm lights.This academy stands as the largest youth theater training program in the Southeastern United States, drawing hundreds of young performers to its bright, echoing rehearsal halls.Each year, more than 1,000 young actors dive into its year-round program, with lively workshops, hands-on classes, and stage performances that help shape the artists of tomorrow.These programs focus on building skills in acting, singing, dancing, and stagecraft, all while creating a warm, encouraging space where kids and teens can try new ideas, hear the applause, and grow more confident in their creativity.Beyond its usual shows and classes, the Springer Opera House invites you into something different-like a guided ghost tour where the air feels cool and whispers echo in the dark.These tours delve into the theater’s haunted past, pulling visitors into eerie legends and ghost stories whispered about its creaking halls.This feature weaves a rich cultural thread through the opera house, drawing in arts lovers as well as anyone curious about its history and the old stories whispered in its halls.The Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia, stands as a landmark where rich history meets elegant architecture and lively cultural events, from dazzling stage lights to the soft creak of its century-old floors.Since its late 19th-century beginnings, it’s grown into a lively stage and learning hub, drawing neighbors together and keeping the region’s artistic heritage alive-like the sound of a bow gliding over a well-loved violin.Being named the State Theatre of Georgia and a National Historic Landmark shows just how much it matters-whether you’re in town or halfway across the country, its old brick façade still carries weight.Mixing history, grand architecture, lively education, and pure entertainment, the Springer Opera House stands as Columbus’s treasured heart for the arts, its glowing marquee drawing audiences from across the Southeast.
