The Lear Theater was originally the First Church of Christ, Scientist. It was designed in 1938 by internationally acclaimed architect, Paul Revere Williams. Services were held there until its sale in 1998. When the building went up for sale, it was purchased with the help of a large donation from Moya Lear, wife of inventor Bill Lear. The Theater Coalition was formed and began the planning to renovate the old Church into a performance venue.
Although renovations were not yet complete, activity in the Lear Theater was booming. Programs and productions kept the small staff and Board of Directors busy. Journey to the Center of the Arts was a highly successful program that ran for 9 years. The program consisted of talented instructors who vigorously taught young performers for 5 weeks which culminated into productions at Wingfield Park. City Stages News as well as City Stages TV were produced to promote performing arts events in Reno and in the surrounding areas. Live at the Lear was a program that showcased two weeks of free theater productions located on the east lawn of the theater. Countless plays, dance groups, and performers of all disciplines were brought to the 60 year old venue. The future for the Lear Theater looked bright, and although renovations were not yet completed, theater go-ers enjoyed the charm of this grand old building perched on the banks of the Truckee River.
In the year 1999, programming in the Lear was brought to a halt. The building had to close its doors due to its insufficient amenities that were required to keep this performance venue in use. Other challenges the building faced were the severe increases in construction costs as well as unforeseen technical problems with the design drawings. Although the capital campaign administered by the Theater Coalition was extremely successful, the dollars coming in could not keep up with the issues at hand.
All was not lost for the Lear Theater. In fact, after a fresh look at the construction plans and insight from qualified theater experts, the future of the Lear is looking brighter than ever before. The Lear Theater will serve as a catalyst for a theater district in the Downtown Reno area and the community will once again enjoy the charm of this “jewel on the Truckee.”
