Waukesha Civic Theatre (WCT)
The Bryce and Anne Styza Family donated the building and the Anthony and Andrea Bryant Family contributed greatly to the renovation. The building is named the Margaret Brate Bryant Civic Theatre Building in honor of Tony Bryant's mother, a local actress. In 1999 the Wisconsin Historical Society listed the Pix Theatre on the State register of historic places.
In 2007, WCT celebrated its 50th anniversary. It is one of only 100 community theatres in the U.S. on record for at least 50 years of operation.
Erected 2007 by Waukesha County Historical Museum. (Marker Number 34-13.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 43° 0.713′ N, 88° 13.844′ W. Marker is in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. Marker can be reached from Main Street. Located behind the Civic Theatre
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rotunda (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Waukesha Freeman (about 500 feet away); Cohn's Shoe Store (about 700 feet away); American Legion Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Courthouse Complex (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waukesha City - Cutler Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prehistoric Indian Mound (approx. ¼ mile away); Weber Brewery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waukesha.
Additional commentary.
1. History of the Pix Theater building.
The Pix Theater was built in 1939 on the site of the old Gaspar Building built in 1906 to house the Empire Theater, operating as a nickelodeon. Patrons at the Pix opening in 1940 were given a booklet which told them about the decor including porcelain, stainless steel, walnut veneer, pine square inlays, richly-padded Crestwood carpet of French modern design and streamlined spring-seat chairs which put the viewer four inches above the person seated in front of them. The first movie shown was "Edison the Man." First run features were shown here after they had run at the Park Theater first. In 1947
In 1977 the Pix and the Park were bought by James Gudmundson. In 1983, due to competition outside of the downtown area by other theaters, the Pix was completely remodeled, reducing the seating from 500 to 290. In 1992 the outside of the theater was updated to add brick. However, the competition only made matters worse for the last downtown theater, and finally the Pix was no longer viable as a movie theater. The last movie shown was "Seven."
In 1996 the building was sold to Bruce Styza, as a possible site for a parking lot. After much fundraising by the Waukesha Civic Theatre, the building was saved and redone so that the outside once again resembled the original theater. The inside was completely redone in art deco style to reflect the time period in which it was built. This newly remodeled space became the home of the Waukesha Civic Theatre.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2011, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,481 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 8, 2011, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
