Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center

The Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center is a multi-use venue in Pontiac, Illinois, United States. It is owned by the City of Pontiac and operates as a flexible space for dinner theater, concerts, recitals, meetings, retreats, conferences, receptions, and other special events. Depending on the usage and seating arrangements, the venue can accommodate up to 250 people. Catering services are available through approved vendors, and the stage is equipped with appropriate lighting and sound systems. The venue is available for rent for public and private events and performances. The building first opened in December 1939 as a movie house, with its first screening being The Wizard of Oz. After many successful years as a movie theater, it later housed an indoor paintball range and an indoor skateboard park. When the City of Pontiac purchased the building, they solicited proposals for its use. A local theatre troupe proposed the idea of a dinner theatre, and the Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center was born. Since its re-opening, the Eagle has hosted dinner theatre performances, comedy nights, concerts, wedding showers, lecture series, family reunions, and more. In 2016, it was the site of the Society of Gilders Community Project, during which gilders from around the world gilded details on the proscenium arch and around the lobby doors. The venue remains open and active, welcoming community members and visitors for a variety of events.

The building that now houses the Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center first opened in December 1939 as a movie house. Its first movie was The Wizard of Oz. After many successful years as a movie theater, it was home to an indoor paintball range as well as an indoor skateboard park. When the City of Pontiac purchased the building, they took proposals for what to do with it. A local theatre troupe proposed the idea of a dinner theatre and the Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center was born. Since its re-opening, the Eagle has hosted dinner theatre performances, comedy nights, concerts, wedding showers, lecture series, family reunions, and so much more. It was also the site of the Society of Gilders 2016 Community Project. Gilders from all over the world came to Pontiac to gild the details on the proscenium arch as well as around the doors in the lobby. While they were here they also worked on some projects for their museum just a few blocks away as well as an art car that sits outside downtown during the summer months. The Eagle was open the whole time they were working and community members were welcome to come observe and in some cases even help out. It turned out beautifully, and we are so proud to have the hand gilded details gracing our building. The Eagle is available to rent for any number of public and private events and performances.

• Opened as a movie house; first movie was The Wizard of Oz.

• Purchased by the City of Pontiac; a local theatre troupe proposed a dinner theatre, leading to the creation of the Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center.

• Hosted the Society of Gilders 2016 Community Project, with gilders from around the world gilding the proscenium arch and lobby doors.

A municipally owned, community-focused multi-use venue for performing arts and conferences in Pontiac, Illinois.

• Dinner theater performances

• Comedy nights

• Concerts

• Wedding showers

• Lecture series

• Family reunions

• Event rentals

1. 1The Eagle Theater – Pontiac, IL Performing Arts and Conference Centerpontiaceagle.com
2. 2About – The Eagle Theaterpontiaceagle.com
3. 3Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center - Wikidatawikidata.org