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Photos: Inside look at the historic Teatro Carmen theater in Tucson
In 2021 Herb Stratford, director of Stratford Art Works Inc., and the person responsible for the historic renovation of Fox Tucson Theater, bought the Teatro Carmen theater in the Barrio Viejo neighborhood with plans to restore it and create a community arts and 300-seat cultural space. Work has been quietly underway on the 106-year-old theater.
The $850,000 facade restoration was completed in July 2024 and work will begin on the roof.
Teatro Carmen theater update
The historic Teatro Carmen theater, 380 S. Meyer Ave., in the Barrio Veijo neighborhood in Tucson on January 2, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
Herb Stratford, director of Stratford Art Works, talks about the original ceiling inside the historic Teatro Carmen, 380 S. Meyer Ave., on January 2, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
The former bar from the Black Elks Club, seen on the right, will be used as part of the renovation of the historic Teatro Carmen theater, 380 S. Meyer Ave., in Tucson. The Black Elks Club used the space for 50 years.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarBlack Elks Club
Black Elks Club late 1950’s
Jack Shaeffer archive,UA Special CollectionsTeatro Carmen theater update
Parts of the original ceiling lay in a pile waiting to be used in the restoration of the historic Teatro Carmen, 380 S. Meyer Ave., in Tucson.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
Herb Stratford, director of Stratford Art Works, found a couple of old posters in the ceiling of the Teatro Carmen theater and plans to have them restored.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
The addition on the left, built by the Black Elks Club, will be torn down since it is not original and the stage will be extended back as part of the renovations for the historic Teatro Carmen theater.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
Nails that held up posters can be seen sticking out of the original brick walls of the historic Teatro Carmen theater.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
Inside the historic Teatro Carmen theater, 380 S. Meyer Ave. on January 2, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
Herb Stratford, director of Stratford Art Works, talks about the original bricks outside the historic Teatro Carmen, 380 S. Meyer Ave., in the Barrio Veijo neighborhood in Tucson on January 2, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarTeatro Carmen theater update
A temporary mural by Danny Martin depicts Carmen Soto Vasquez, the founder of the Teatro Carmen theater. The mural is where the ticket booth will be and the entrances into the theater.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Related to this collection
Tiny treasures emerge as Tucson's historic Teatro Carmen is renovatedFor Star subscribers: Replacing the roof and structural work are up next in $9 million renovation project, but the historic Barrio Viejo theater is still two years from reopening.