Overture Center Collection: 20th Anniversary Celebration

Overture Center's collection at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research contains documentation related to Overture's first 20 years. However, the collection also spans back to include Overture's history in its former iterations as the Madison Civic Center (1980-2003) and the Capitol Theater (1928 - 1974). The expansive collection contains playbills from both the Madison Civic Center and the Overture, headshots from performers, and news articles detailing the creation of each version of the theater.

While Overture Center's history is relatively short in comparison to its predecessors, this exhibit celebrates its historical elements and exposes the persistent dedication of the center's leaders and the Madison community to honor the joys of the arts.

This exhibit explores the center's origins in the Capitol Theater and the Madison Civic Center. The collection contains articles, photos, and artifacts from both structures beginning in 1927. By understanding the history of these two initial theaters, Overture's dedication to restoration and community involvement shines as a cornerstone of its foundation.

Since this history is expansive, the interactive timeline presented in this section explores the most important moments from 1928 to the present day as the space grows from a silent movie house to a seven-stage theater.

The Capitol Theater's Stage (1927)

The Capitol Theater Restored (2024)