{{Short description|Theater in Kent, Ohio}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox Venue | name = Kent Stage | image = 250px | image_caption = | nickname = | location = 175 East Main Street<br />Kent, Ohio, USA | coordinates = {{Coord|41|9|14.12|N|81|21|23.83|W|region:US_type:landmark}} | type = performance hall | event = | broke_ground = | built = 1927 | opened = 1927 as Flannigan and Steele Theater<br />2002 as Kent Stage | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = Western Reserve Folk Arts Association | former_names = | seating_type = | seating_capacity = 642 (since 2002)<ref name="folk-events">{{cite web|url=http://ww.folk-events.com/seatingchart.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310065426/http://ww.folk-events.com/seatingchart.php |archive-date=2012-03-10 |url-status=dead|title=folk-events.com|accessdate=June 20, 2016}}</ref> | website = {{URL| http://www.kentstage.org}} }} The '''Kent Stage''' is a 642-seat theater that was built in 1927 in Kent, Ohio, United States. Since 2002, it has been used as a performance venue for music, plays and film.
==History== In 1927, it opened as the Flannigan and Steele Theater, a movie theater, and has been a place for entertainment in Kent since then.<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=http://ww.folk-events.com/about.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310065429/http://ww.folk-events.com/about.php |archive-date=2012-03-10 |url-status=dead|title=folk-events.com|accessdate=June 20, 2016}}</ref> The Western Reserve Folk Arts Association, a non-profit organization, opened the Kent Stage in 2002, primarily holding various musical performances by nationally known performers at the venue.<ref name="about"/>
Many well-known artists have performed at the Kent Stage,<ref name="about"/> including such names as Bo Diddley, Joan Baez, Stephen Stills, Kris Kristofferson,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/soundcheck/2010/06/09/kris-kristofferson-performs-at-kent-stage-wednesday-night/ |title=Kris Kristofferson performs at Kent Stage Wednesday night |accessdate=2010-08-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628102529/http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/soundcheck/2010/06/09/kris-kristofferson-performs-at-kent-stage-wednesday-night/ |archivedate=2010-06-28 }}</ref> Ani DiFranco, Tom Paxton, Richie Havens, The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Janis Ian, Peter Rowan and Tony Rice,<ref name="folkalley">{{cite web|url=http://www.folkalley.com/music/livefrom/rowan-rice/|title=Peter Rowan & Tony Rice | Live From Folk Alley|publisher=folkalley.com|accessdate=June 20, 2016|archive-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630064013/http://www.folkalley.com/music/livefrom/rowan-rice/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Melanie, Loudon Wainwright III, The Kingston Trio, Leo Kottke, John Gorka, Leon Redbone, Al Stewart, Pete Best, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Vassar Clements, Rosanne Cash,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110615135040/http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/abram/50242682.html Beacon Journal] </ref> The Wailers, Little Feat, Nickel Creek, India Arie, Machine Gun Kelly, Tim O'Brien, Justin Hayward, and many others. The venue has also hosted the Children's Musical Theater of Kent, the Kent Blues Festival, Up From The River Music Festival, and since 2002 the Kent State Folk Festival.<ref name="about"/><ref name=stage>{{cite news |title=The Kent Stage: one of decade's success stories |author= Murphy, Chad|newspaper= Record-Courier|date= December 31, 2009|url= http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4739093|accessdate= January 23, 2010}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.kentstage.org/ Official website]
Category:Theatres in Ohio Category:Music venues in Ohio Category:Theatres completed in 1927 Category:Kent, Ohio Category:Buildings and structures in Portage County, Ohio Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in Ohio Category:Former cinemas and movie theaters in the United States