The Legacy Theater

History

For nearly 75 years, the building now known as The Legacy Theater has served as a gathering place for the Carthage community. Completed in 1953 as part of Carthage College, the auditorium hosted music and theater performances, graduations, films, chapel services, and community events. When Robert Morris College established its Carthage campus in 1965, the venue became Bryan Auditorium and continued serving students and the public until the college closed in 1989.

After years of decline under several owners, the building was purchased by Prairie Land Investment Group in 2007 and donated to Carl Sandburg College, which completed extensive renovations and reopened it as the Thomas A. Schmidt Charger Community Center. In 2016, Carl Sandburg College sold the property to the City of Carthage, and the Legacy Theater Foundation was established to transform the historic venue into a premier performing arts center.

The theater quickly became a regional cultural destination. By its fifth anniversary, it had welcomed more than 21,000 patrons from 31 states and Canada, hosted 22 organized bus groups, and completed major improvements to its stage, balcony, sound, and lighting systems.

In 2023, ownership of the theater transferred from the City of Carthage to the Legacy Theater Foundation, positioning the organization for future growth and expanded grant opportunities. That same year, Thomas Robbins was hired as the Foundation's first full-time Executive Director, bringing more than 30 years of arts management experience.

Today, The Legacy Theater is home to a 525-seat performance venue that presents nationally touring artists, local productions, educational programming, and community events. Guided by its mission to Inspire, Enrich, Educate, and Entertain, The Legacy Theater continues to preserve its historic legacy while serving as a vibrant cultural hub for west-central Illinois and the surrounding tri-state region.