Michigan's First Black Light Theater, Elk Rapids

Michigan’s first black light theater was the second theater in the town of Elk Rapids.

The State Theater opened on September 20, 1940, not far from where the original Community Theater was located.

Built by Ed Loomis and his wife, they began by showing the top films of the day – sometimes double and triple features. It was a hot entertainment getaway for the citizens of Elk Rapids, but in a few years it wouldn't be just the movies or specials that made this theater so unique. It became our state’s first black light theater.

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The auditorium is covered in a black light mural, transferred onto the ceiling in 1952 and illuminated by installed ultraviolet lights, creating a one of a kind ambience for movie-goers.

Years went by as well as different owners until a high school instructor, music store owner, and later village president, Joe Yuchasz, took over as the theater’s third proprietor in the mid 1970s. Joe set forth, restored the old black light mural (“the largest of its kind in the world”) and repaired the ceiling. It was now re-named the Elk Rapids Cinema.

Joe kept prices low and reasonable so whole families could come in and spend time at the movies: six bucks per ticket.

Joe passed away on January 18, 2023 at age 82 and is fondly remembered by the residents of Elk Rapids. The gallery below has a few photos of the State Theater and some old photos of Elk Rapids.