NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Belcourt Theatre, a Hillsboro Village landmark, is celebrating 100 years of the performing arts, music and movies.
Since 1925, the Belcourt Theatre has stood on 21st and Belcourt Avenues, south of Downtown Nashville.
“We were at the nucleus of this neighborhood back when it was a streetcar suburb back in the mid-20s and have continued to be here as the city has grown up and around us,” said Stephanie Silverman, executive director of the Belcourt Theatre. “Being nestled in this particular community has been a really special part of our story.”
When it opened, it was Nashville’s biggest stage, showing silent movies. Five years later, it held the first performance for the Children’s Theatre of Nashville. The theatre was even home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1934 to 1936.
Now as a movie theatre, the Belcourt’s mission is to engage, enrich and educate. They welcome about 190,000 visitors annually, and show over 300 films a year with more than 4,500 screenings.
“If you come on any given day, you’ll see a new release of some sort, usually maybe a documentary, maybe something international,” said Silverman. “You’ll also see a lot of classic films, a lot of repertory films.”
The impact goes beyond the building, through ‘Mobile Movie Theatre’ visits in partnership with 43 schools and organizations.
Silverman said the Belcourt cultivates community.
“The shared experience of watching a movie together is why this building exists and I think more than ever, shared experience in community is critical and meaningful,” said Silverman.
The theatre officially turns 100-years-old in May. Programming will be announced to honor the milestone.
“I think the thing that’s really stood out to me about this place is its scrappiness,” said Silverman. “It exists in so many points in time, but it’s really been an institution that was powered by individuals. There were periods where larger corporations were in here renting it, but it was really a building that has been here to service Nashvillians.”
