Editing Art Deco Architecture (section)

== Theaters and Entertainment ==

Art Deco achieved particular distinction in theater architecture, where the style's glamour and visual excitement created appropriate settings for movies and live entertainment. Philadelphia's movie palaces of the late 1920s and early 1930s employed Art Deco for lobbies, auditoriums, and facades that transported audiences from everyday life into worlds of fantasy and sophistication. Geometric patterns, concealed lighting, and exotic materials created atmospheric interiors that enhanced the entertainment experience.<ref name="tatum"/>

Though many Art Deco theaters have been demolished or converted, survivors demonstrate the style's theatrical capabilities. The Boyd Theatre (demolished 2015 despite preservation efforts) exemplified Art Deco theater design. Remaining examples have been adapted for new uses or continue operating as performance venues, their Art Deco character providing distinctive atmosphere that contemporary construction cannot replicate.<ref name="gebhard"/>