Gillioz Theatre

A center-stage marriage
Joe Miller and Tina Smith exchange vows in the restored Gillioz.

John Taylor
News-Leader
Published Sunday Dec. 31, 2006

Although numerous weddings have probably unfolded in the movies shown at the Gillioz Theatre, Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered for the real thing.

Eschewing the traditional wedding march for the trip down the aisle in favor of the Etta James classic "At Last," bride Tina Smith, 33, married Joe Miller, 37, on the historic theater's stage.

"We had looked at a couple of churches, but none seemed right for the number of guests," said Miller, associate pastor at Evangelical Methodist Church in Marshfield.

"We just want someplace cool," said Smith, a drama teacher at New Covenant Academy.

The Gillioz, the Springfield couple decided, would accommodate both the expected 400-450 guests and meet the coolness requirement.

Rachel Wright, Gillioz business manager, said she believes this was the first wedding in the theater's history.

The Gillioz opened in October 1926. By the 1970s, the theater had fallen into disrepair. The last performance at the theater during the 20th century was a production by the Springfield Regional Opera in the summer of 1980.

However, the Springfield Landmarks Preservation Trust was formed in 1991 to oversee the restoration of the theater.

After 16 years of work and nearly $10 million worth of renovations, the theater reopened in October.

The bride's parents, Terry and Marilyn Smith of Fair Grove, said they remember attending matinees at the Gillioz in the 1950s and '60s.

"I liked to go up the stairs and sit in the balcony," said Marilyn Smith. "It was more romantic, I guess."

Even then, the theater was deteriorating, she said.

"It's beautiful," she said of the restored interior. "The deteriorated part of it is back."

Jerry-Mac Johnston, Gillioz technical director, said the big difference between a wedding and a theatrical production is a lack of experience on the part of the participants.

Details such as lighting and placement of microphones are often worked out during rehearsal, he added.

By comparison, touring stage productions will sometimes bring along their own light and sound equipment and not even need to use the theater's, Johnston said.

Wright said rental costs for the theater start at $850. If a customer rents the lobby and auditorium and wants a catered meal at Wellington Place, which is next door to the theater, the price could reach $5,000.

This site brought to you by

Ronald and Nancy Reagan Center Jim D. Morris Arts Building Gillioz Theatre
325 Park Central East Springfield, MO 65806 417-863-7843


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A center-stage marriage Joe Miller and Tina Smith exchange vows in the restored Gillioz. John Taylor News-Leader Published Sunday Dec. 31, 2006 Although numerous weddings have probably unfolded in the movies shown at the Gillioz Theatre, Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered for the real thing. Eschewing the traditional wedding march for the trip down the aisle in favor of the Etta James classic "At Last," bride Tina Smith, 33, married Joe Miller, 37, on the historic theater's stage. "We had looked at a couple of churches, but none seemed right for the number of guests," said Miller, associate pastor at Evangelical Methodist Church in Marshfield. "We just want someplace cool," said Smith, a drama teacher at New Covenant Academy. The Gillioz, the Springfield couple decided, would accommodate both the expected 400-450 guests and meet the coolness requirement. Rachel Wright, Gillioz business manager, said she believes this was the first wedding in the theater's history. The Gillioz opened in October 1926. By the 1970s, the theater had fallen into disrepair. The last performance at the theater during the 20th century was a production by the Springfield Regional Opera in the summer of 1980. However, the Springfield Landmarks Preservation Trust was formed in 1991 to oversee the restoration of the theater. After 16 years of work and nearly $10 million worth of renovations, the theater reopened in October. The bride's parents, Terry and Marilyn Smith of Fair Grove, said they remember attending matinees at the Gillioz in the 1950s and '60s. "I liked to go up the stairs and sit in the balcony," said Marilyn Smith. "It was more romantic, I guess." Even then, the theater was deteriorating, she said. "It's beautiful," she said of the restored interior. "The deteriorated part of it is back." Jerry-Mac Johnston, Gillioz technical director, said the big difference between a wedding and a theatrical production is a lack of experience on the part of the participants. Details such as lighting and placement of microphones are often worked out during rehearsal, he added. By comparison, touring stage productions will sometimes bring along their own light and sound equipment and not even need to use the theater's, Johnston said. Wright said rental costs for the theater start at $850. If a customer rents the lobby and auditorium and wants a catered meal at Wellington Place, which is next door to the theater, the price could reach $5,000. This site brought to you by Ronald and Nancy Reagan Center Jim D. Morris Arts Building Gillioz Theatre 325 Park Central East Springfield, MO 65806 417-863-7843