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Antioch’s El Campanil Theatre an Inspiration

Recently Jane Amick, our Executive Director, accompanied me on a trip to the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch. We were welcomed by Rick Carraher, the Executive Director and his assistant, Deanna, the very capable two person team that operates the theater. We spent two fruitful hours learning about their success story. And a true success story it is!

The 700 seat El Campanil was built as a vaudeville and movie theater in 1928 (two years before ours). Its stage area is smaller than that of our State Theatre. Like many movie theaters, it fell into hard times and was closed for a period of time being used as a church on the weekends. Carraher, an Antioch restaurateur and longtime leader in Antioch’s Rivertown Business District Association, recognized an opportunity to bring live theater to downtown Antioch as well as bolstering retail businesses. Strong support was provided by the City of Antioch.

With the assistance and encouragement of the Antioch city manager, an innovative scheme was devised to purchase the theater using franchise fees from a major new gas pipeline running through the city. The theater is owned and operated by The El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation, a charitable non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation.

Unlike our State Theatre the entire original interior of the El Campanil was intact, in beautiful design and color. However, extensive renovation work was needed. Volunteers and local contractors donated their time and materials. This provided the means to renovate and repaint the interior to its original likeness. Within one year of purchase, the El Campanil began showing classic movies and staging live productions.

Along the way, additional assistance was needed. The city’s redevelopment agency stepped forward with a $750,000 grant to purchased new seats and funded major repairs to the roof. The total renovation cost was $1.5 million.

The El Campanil staged 14 performances and attracted 7,000 patrons during its first year of operation four years ago. Rick and Deanne have worked hard to promote the theater, hiring consultants and vendors as needed. Last year’s annual attendance swelled to over 40,000 with 106 performances. This is a true success story and one we can all benefit and learn from.

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