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About Us

Early Days

In 1915, William J. Olson, owner of the Gaiety Theatre at the corner of Cherry and Simmons Streets, engaged the prominent architectural firm of C.W. & George L. Rapp to break ground for the Orpheum Theatre. The Rapp brothers were making waves with their philosophy that a theatre should be “a shrine to democracy where the wealthy rub elbows with the poor.”

Their free blend of Italian Renaissance and Second Empire style of 19th century France with flourishes of classical, baroque and art nouveau gave the Orpheum an eclectic elegance.  The Orpheum was budgeted at an astonishing $75,000, but when finished wound up costing over $135,000.

Built as a vaudeville house, The Orpheum hosted many early stars of stage and screen, including Jack Benny, George Burns, Houdini, Al Jolson, Edgar Bergen, Fanny Brice and Blackstone the Magician.  The Orpheum was the finest in construction, acoustics, and accommodations, but as was the fate of most palaces of the era, the Orpheum’s splendor could not withstand the demise of vaudeville and the rising popularity of television.  

Recent Memory​

By the late 1970s, the Orpheum was part of the Kerasotes movie theater conglomerate. Due to high operating costs, the Orpheum was forced to close in 1982. The theatre was donated by the Kerosotes Company to the Knox County Civic Center Authority and a successful fund drive by the Prairie Players Civic Theatre raised $100,000 to restore the Orpheum to its former glory. A $2-million grant from the State of Illinois made the plan a reality. On May 5, 1988, the curtain rose on the Henry Mancini Orchestra for the re-inauguration gala.

Today, the Orpheum continues to reflect its former glory, bringing to the stage a diverse blend of the finest entertainment including Mickey Rooney, Collin Raye, the Doobie Brothers, Glen Miller Orchestra, Bo Diddley, The Acting Company and the Russian National Ballet companies. The theatre is also home to many local performing arts and non-profit organizations that bring music, movies, dance and theatre to our stage.

Share Your Orpheum Story with Us Here!

Meet The Orpheum Theatre Staff

Andrew Driscoll image

Andrew Driscoll

Executive Director

Graduating from Peoria High School, Andrew Driscoll started his career as a professional actor and singer in New York City performing on Broadway and along with his solo performance work also released 3 vocal recordings. Post 9/11, Andrew made the choice to move back to Peoria and create its first resident nonprofit professional theatre exclusively contracting actors and stage managers from Actors’ Equity Association within the Apollo Theatre on Main Street. After 2 years, he made the business decision to relocate the effort as a for profit venture along Peoria’s Riverfront with the purchase of a venue called The Waterhouse on Water Street. For the next 20 years, The Waterhouse at the original location and for the last 10 years in the MAXAM Building has been the umbrella organization which has hosted and executed over 1,000 private banquet events and 850 shows including performances from Central Illinois Dueling Pianos, Peoria Cabaret Theatre, and the Broadway Lounge.

Eric Christian

Theatre Manager

Eric was born and raised in Monmouth IL. Since early childhood, he loved art of all kinds and developed a particular affinity for music. He started playing guitar at the age of nine and quickly branched out into other instruments, as well as singing and song-writing. He’s been an active member in a number of local bands including SAPHEAD, S.A.P.P, The Kaufmans, Nobody Ever Dies (N.E.D), Channel Fuzz, Whopper Jaw, Ms. Fortune, Ghost Town Choir, Suspect Drivers, Extinguisher, Statues of Ash, Craig & Co., and more. He also operates a recording studio called Aiding & Abetting Studios, where he records artists from all backgrounds and genres, transforming the artists work into studio quality albums. 

Melissa Hutson

Audience Services Manager

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and a teaching certification from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Maverick Theatre Program. Originally from Plano, Texas, she spent years performing, directing, and designing across the Lone Star State’s vibrant theater scene. Her passion for theater education led her to a 13-year tenure with Granbury ISD, where she served as a theater instructor and ultimately the Artistic Director for Granbury High School Theatre Department. During her time there, Melissa specialized in production design, bringing stories to life through an intensive emphasis on hands-on prop masterwork and detailed set construction.

Lily Scalf

Marketing & Development Manager

Originally from Canton, Illinois, Lily Scalf brings over 13 years of dynamic entrepreneurial experience to her role as the Marketing and Development Manager at The Orpheum. As the founder of her own successful fashion house specializing in custom and textile dyeing, Lily mastered the art of wearing many hats—expertly handling everything from web design and graphic marketing to brand strategy and community engagement. 

Her deep background in art and fashion, combined with a lifelong love for theatre, allows her to bring a unique, visually stunning, and highly strategic vision to The Orpheum. Whether she is building community partnerships, designing promotional campaigns, or securing development opportunities, Lily is thrilled to fuse her business acumen with her love for the performing arts to help The Orpheum thrive.

Colin Kreipe

Theatre Operations Associate

A recent graduate from Monmouth College, Colin has degrees in both Theatre and Business Administration. He originally started out as an actor before discovering a love of everything behind the scenes: running teams, deciding contracts, organizing events, and much more. While still new to the world of professional theatre, Colin has worked as a part of the company management team at Powerhouse Theatre in New York, getting to engage and work alongside Broadway stars and musical legends.

Colin originally started out at The Orpheum as an intern while still in college, but over time and many productions, worked his way through part-time work and into the full-time position of today. The “Swiss Army Knife” of our team, Colin works a multitude of jobs at the theatre. From box office to running movies, leading concessions to venue recovery, Colin does a little bit of everything for us here at The Orpheum and we’re glad to have him as a part of our team!

See Our Board of Directors

Your Orpheum Story - The Legacy Project

The Orpheum Theatre, built in 1916, has a rich and incredible history in the Galesburg community. Since it was created, the theatre has been everything from a vaudeville variety theatre, to a movie theatre, to a rental venue space, to a historical site. The theatre is rich with history and rich with stories, and we want to hear yours! Whether it’s a movie you saw in the good old days, a show you were in last week, or just an amazing event you got to see, we want to know more. Please fill out our form sharing your Orpheum story or give us to call to schedule an interview so you can become a part of history!

Share Your Orpheum Story
My husband and I got married at the Orpheum in 2007. I wish I could recall the gal's name they got everything lined up for us, but she was amazing. Being able to celebrate the happiest day of my life at one of the most historical sites around was a dream come true. The stage, the lights, the sound, it was all just a fantasy that came true. I recommend anyone to spend their big day at the Orpheum Theater!
Story from Kari
I was president of PPCT when we were gifted the Orpheum. Lots of hard work by so many! Glad it is still going strong. Spent a few times across the boards. Certainly one of our Pearls of the Prairie!
Story from Reuel Owen
Performing on that stage, in that venue, was intimidating at first. Having the honor of being in that environment twice a year for Choral Dynamics is AMAZING. Then, to have another honor of performing in South Pacific this past summer. Such an AWESOME place to be!!! Thanks for keeping "her" open and vibrant. Love that theater!!!!
Story From Jeff Harshbarger
Movies were a weekly event --- Saturday morning kiddie shows, Sunday afternoons with friends, and family movies with my mom and dad. A few highlights include Gone With the Wind, South Pacific, and Blue Hawaii.
Story From Marty Goshert White
When Lonnie Stewart rented it out for an art opening and one of his guests was Jim Nabors. I got to be the house manager that evening. Jim Nabors stopped into see me and gave me the whole “Golly “ routine. We all went to the Corner Connection afterwards until people recognized him . It was great fun. He was a very nice man!
Story From Kathryn Pettit Owen
It’s hard to believe that a place like The Orpheum Theatre is nestled into downtown Galesburg. The first time I came here I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. I couldn't believe that I could come in and appreciate this [place totally for free! Now I know that that’s exactly what The Orpheum is about. Art, history, and community right here for everyone. With incredible history that the staff is excited to share with you, and a fun, welcoming community that really makes you feel right at home.
Story From Anonymous Visitor
Back in the 50's my friends and I loved coming to see movies at The Orpheum Theatre. One time, we each hid some pigeons in our coat and snuck them into the theatre. Then we all sat in one of the boxes, and right as the movie was starting, we released the pigeons into the theatre. On of them flew right at the screen and ran smack into it! The Ushers were no happy with us after that one.
Story From Richard Bland
4H Achievement Day! The Orpheum filled with 4Hers from throughout Knox County. You scored big time if you & your friends got one of the box seats. Going up on stage to receive an award was a BIG DEAL. And at the end there was the drawing for door prizes. A sewing machine from Wolfsie's was the Grand Prize. (sorry boys!) All this was happening in the 60's.
Story From Fran Moore
My favorite memories will always come from watching free horror movies with my friends in October. I went to Knox college and would love seeing the posters put up all over campus. Me and my friends would meet up every weekend and walk to the Orpheum together. I think the most memorable out of all of them was The Thing last year. We were laughing, screaming, gagging, holding our breath, it absolutely ruled. Even after graduating me and my friends still talk about it and we’re making plans to visit Galesburg in October to see a horror movie together again.
Story From Knox Student class of 2023
When I was a young boy growing up in Galesburg my fondest memory was going with my Mother to the Orpheum Theatre to watch every Disney classic ever made. We'd sit in the front row balcony and eat popcorn and drink pop. It was tremendous and wonderful. I can't think of any activity I would like more. When we became teenagers Missy and I saw 'Romeo and Juliet' there--it was truly amazing and inspiring.
Story from Craig Walker

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