Roger L. Stevens Center~ 405 West 4th Street

The Greek Rival Carolina Theatre opened as a silent picture show theatre on January 15, 1929.

The theater has its original cornices and Tiffany glass light fixtures. It has a Bayreuth-style orchestra pit capable of seating a 90-piece orchestra. The architect firm hired was Newman Calloway Johnson Winfree of Winston-Salem, and the acoustical consultant is the firm of Peter George Associates of New York City. Designed in a Renaissance Revival style, it features pedimented windows, plaster swags and ornated cornice.  Appartments occupied the top stories of the building.

It was converted into the Carolina Hotel in 1930. In February 1, 1980, the theathre was given by its owner, Piedmont Publishing Company, to the local North Carolina School of the Arts on condition it be renovated into a performing arts center. The renovations cost close to $42.2 million and completed February 1, 1983 and dedicated February 4th of the same year.

R. Philip Hanes Jr. Lead the fundraising drive for new capital funds. 

The building reopened in 1983 as the Roger L. Stevens Center for the Performing Arts for his contributions and support of the performing arts. Mr. Stevens was present during the opening. He was  73 years old. Born in Detroit and made his fortune in real estate, He once bought and sold the Empire State Building. He also served as chairman of the finance committee of the Democratic National Committee from 1956 to 1960. 

Mr. Stevens known as a man of few words, felt ''a little awkward'' seeing his name go up on a new art center. 

The Steven's Center is Winston-Salem's premiere stage, it hosts among others the Piedmont Opera, the Winston-Salem Symphony, and performances by the NCSA.

* Did you know? A piece of modern history...

American rock band Daughtry shot the music video for their single September at the Stevens Center July 1, 2010.

*This concludes another "Talk".

If you are following our walk, proceed along the right side of the building to the Journal Sentinel located on Marshall Street.