The Friends of the Coleman is an organization that was established to promote the Coleman Theatre and assist in the renovations, repairs, maintenance and improvements of the physical facilities. The organization was proposed in 1990, with its first by-laws adopted in August 1994.
ACT I: THE BEGINNING
Constructed as a vaudeville theatre and movie palace, the Coleman Theatre opened to a full house of 1,600 people at $1 a seat on April 18, 1929.
Built by George L. Coleman Sr., a local mining magnate, the opulent structure with Louis XV interior design dazzled the audiences of the day. From that day forward, the Coleman Theatre has never been "dark."
ACT II: THE REBIRTH
The historic structure was donated to the City of Miami by the Coleman family in 1989. Restoration and renovation of the theatre has become a labor of love for the community and the volunteer-based Friends of the Coleman.
Efforts of the Friends of the Coleman, including returning the "Mighty Wurlitzer" pipe organ to its orignal home, restoring the magnificent chandelier and renovating the ballroom, have saved the Coleman Theatre from a bleak future and breathed new life into this grand facility.
Hundreds of volunteers have given countless hours of labor, raised funds and promoted a variety of events for all taste and ages. The Friends of the Coleman are a vital part of the theatre's past, present and future.
ACT III: THE LEGACY
The restoration of the Coleman Theatre is an on-going project. The vision of the Friends of the Coleman is a highly functional theatre restored to its former elegance and grandeur. Its mission is that the children of today will have access to live performance of all kinds far into the future.
The organization generates funds through the sale of Coleman Theatre-related items ranging from post cards to CDs and DVDs to Christmas ornaments. Also, the Friends of the Coleman generate revenue through an annual membership drive and through its Adpot A Seat program.
Friends of the Coleman memberships range in price from $15 to $500. Seat adoption donations range from $250 to $350. Seats in the top level of the balcony are $250, middle level of the balcony seats are $300 and first level balcony seats are $350.
Seat adoptions may be made in memory or honor of an individual or group.
If you would like to join the Friends of the Coleman and help keep the theatre beautiful for generations or would like to adopt a seat in the Coleman Theatre, call 918-540-2425 for more information.
RESTORING THE COLEMAN THEATRE BEAUTIFUL
Restoration of the Coleman Theatre Beautiful started in 1990 and is nearly complete. It has been a labor of love and is accredited to the volunteers who have put in countless hours.
