Family Children’s Theatre History

 

The “Sproule Brothers,” Carl and Robert, built the State Theater, now known as the Flag Theater, in 1936 at a cost of $20,000. Newspaper reports stated that the new facility “represents the most modern type of architecture and equipment,” with seating for 600, an “efficient” cooling system and a “beautiful and modernistic electric sign which will do much to add to the beauty of Main Street at night.” The theater was officially opened on July 4th at 1:00 p.m. The opening movie was Joe E. Brown in “Circus Clown”

The Flag Theatre, originally known as the State Theatre, is now home to live productions, including children's theatre, and is Kansas' only festival stage complex. The Flag is also used for meetings and conventions, and is available for rental for public and private functions.  "Winner of a Governor's Award of Excellence, it serves central Kansas as a small convention, educational, and meeting facility as well as a performance venue. Home to the Family/Children's Theatre, it is Kansas's only festival stage complex. A dynamic, flexible and acoustically superior space seating 315.