Bay City State Theatre

THE STATE OF THINGS
How Bay City’s 1908 Bijou became a popular entertainment venue in the heart of downtown Bay City.

Once a vaudeville and burlesque house known as the Bijou, the State Theatre is treasured today as both a historical building and popular venue for live entertainment.

Built in 1908 during the booming lumbering era, the Theatre was renovated in 1930 by renowned architect C. Howard Crane, whose impressive work includes the twin Fox Theatres in Detroit and St. Louis, Missouri. Crane re-crafted the Bay City State Theatre to resemble a Mayan Temple, adding the art-deco influences gave the theatre much of the warmth and charm that still exists within its walls today.

Used to enrich arts and cultural opportunities for the Great Lakes Bay Region, the Bay City State Theatre presents live events, performances, and family and educational programming. The Theatre also plays host to the Bijou Orchestra, a professional orchestra playing everything from classical music and opera to ragtime and rock ‘n roll.