Moore Theatre Information

Initially run by John Cort, the Moore Theatre was constructed in 1907 as a social venue for Gilded Age elite during the early 20th century. The building and neighboring Moore Hotel were designed with visiting tourists in mind who came to the city during the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.

By the 1970s, however, the theater was falling into decline. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the theatre was taken over by Dan Ireland and Darryl MacDonald and renamed the Moore Egyptian to link it to the other popular Egyptian theatres in the US. During this time the theatre saw a revival for showing movies, and was the location in which the Seattle International Film Festival was founded.

In 1981 the owners moved, taking the “Egyptian,” name with them. The venue has continued to thrive, showcasing the very best musical and theatrical talent from top artists and productions around the world.

Since 1907, the Moore Theatre has been delighting visitors from all over the world with its vibrant and varied program of performing arts. Today, this includes Broadway and off-Broadway productions, plays, music concerts, film screenings, academic lectures, and educational programs, as well as events for the local community.  

Located just two blocks away from Pike Place Market at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Virginia Street, the Moore Theatre has a seating capacity of 1,800. Seating is spread over two levels – the main floor and an upper balcony. Its layout ensures that all attendees enjoy an unobstructed view of the stage.

The Moore Theatre is owned by the Seattle Theatre Group (STG), which also owns the Paramount and Neptune theaters in the city. STG is a nonprofit arts organization “whose mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of the region’s cultural identity while keeping three historic venues, The Paramount, Moore, and Neptune, alive and vibrant”. 

The history of Moore Theatre

Designed by architect EW Houghton for the real estate developer, James A Moore, the Moore Theatre opened at the end of 1907. The theater and adjoining hotel (the Moore Hotel) were built for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, providing entertainment and lodgings for people attending. 

The building is made of reinforced concrete and a large steel girder which spans the width of the auditorium – holding the weight of the balcony with no need for support columns. The external façade of white ceramic tile and terracotta combines Byzantine and Italianate styles. It is a deceptively simple design when compared to its dazzling interior. 

At the time of construction, the Moore’s stage was the largest in the city and it boasted a state-of-the-art electrical system. Originally, the theater had a seating capacity of 2,436 which made it one of the biggest in the whole of the US. 

Changes over time

The Moore Theatre had a separate entrance and segregated seating for black audience members on the balcony. The segregated entrance and staircase are still there today as an example of the history of racial segregation in the city. 

The Moore Theatre became a social venue for the elite classes of 20th-century Seattle. In its early years, the Moore was managed by a man called John Cort (who later founded a New York Broadway venue). 

The first staging of the rock opera Tommy by The Who took place at the Moore in 1971. The production was led by the Seattle Opera and directed by Richard Pearlman.

Both the Moore Theatre and Hotel were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was around this time that it was struggling to survive commercially, and its architecture was deteriorating.

In 1975, it was bought by Dan Ireland and Darryl Macdonald and became known as the Moore Egyptian. They added Egyptian to the name to make the theater appear more exotic and to connect it with other Egyptian Theaters in the country. Under their management, the theater became a movie palace, and it was the first venue for the Seattle International Film Festival in 1976. 

When Macdonald and Ireland decided to move on in 1981, the name of the venue was changed back to the Moore Theatre.

Musical connections

The theater is famous for being the setting for many major moments in the history of modern music, particularly in relation to the grunge movement and Seattle’s music scene. 

Key events include the recording of Soundgarden’s “Fopp” EP in 1988 and the filming of Alice in Chains’ “Live Facelift” in 1990. Pearl Jam recorded their “Even Flow” music video at the Moore Theatre in 1992.

In 1994 the Seattle Landmark Association – which is now called the Seattle Theatre Group – took on the venue’s lease. The Moore Theater celebrated its 100th anniversary in December 2007 with a program of celebration events. 

The Seattle Theatre Group carried out major renovations on the Moore Theatre in the summer of 2013. Improvements included upgrades to seating, repainting the lobby and auditorium to restore its original character, modernizing the heating and air conditioning systems, and adding a new curtain to the stage. 

Accessibility

The Moore Theatre is owned by the Seattle Theatre Group which has policies and services in place that prioritize accessibility at their venues. 

Assistive listening devices

Sennheiser Digital RF signal transmission listening devices are available to rent free of charge at The Moore Theatre.

There are two models of listening devices available: 

• The HDE2020-D-II – a one-piece with earpieces, worn to amplify the show feed.

• The EK 2020-D-II – for use with personal headphones/earbuds or an induction neck loop for transmitting sound to hearing aids that are equipped with a T-coil.

Listening devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to rent a device for an event, you should ask a theater usher for assistance upon arrival.

Accessible seating & escort service

The Moore Theatre’s wheelchair-accessible seats are located on the main floor. The seats are identifiable on the venue’s seating map as they are marked with the International Symbol of Access. 

There are no elevators in the Moore Theatre, but patrons can purchase accessible seats with seats for their companions alongside them. 

If you contact the venue at least 48 hours before your event, they can provide assistance to guests who may need additional support reaching their seat. If you make a request less than 48 hours before your event, the venue will try to provide an escort, but they cannot guarantee that one will be available. 

Requests should be made by emailing [email protected], telephoning the box office, or through their Accessibility Service Request Form.

American Sign Language (ASL)

Open captioned performances

ASL and open caption interpretation are available on request for certain performances. You can also request interpretive services by completing the Accessibility Service Request Form on the venue’s website. 

GalaPro

STG has implemented GalaPro, a software program that enables users to synchronize their smart device to a performance so text that describes the show will appear on the screen. 

Audio described performances

The Moore Theatre offers a range of audio-described performances and with enough prior notice can arrange for support from tactile interpreters. 

Sensory Access guides

For Broadway shows, Sensory Access provides guides to performances that highlight any elements that could be difficult for people with sensory issues. 

Personal care attendant

If someone attending the Moore Theatre requires a Personal Care Attendant at all times to enable them to attend, their caregiver can access complimentary tickets. This will need to be organized with the Seattle Theatre Group. 

Service animals

Service animals are permitted into the Moore Theatre.