Helen Stairs Theatre

Only a handful of historic theaters remain in Florida. The Milane Amusement Company developed the building, which originally was known as the Milane Theater. Incorporated in 1922, the Company derived its name by combining parts of the names of its president, Frank L. Miller, and Vice-president, Edward F. Lane. The incorporators organized the company with fifty thousand dollars in stock at one hundred dollars per share. A pioneer resident, Frank Miller served on Sanford's first city council, and later as city judge, Edward Lane, known as the "the man who knows Sanford best", was born in Sanford in 1891, and graduated from Rollins College. A Realtor and insurance businessman, Lane was considered "Sanford's best promoter for growth and development". In the early 1920s, Miller and Lane developed several subdivisions in Seminole County.

The Theatre is built on the site of the former Star Theatre, which was a failed movie house that had stood abandoned several years, and began making plans for the new entertainment center. Augusta, Georgia Architects Scroggs and Ewing were hired to prepare the plans. The Georgia architects associated with Sanford Architect Elton J. Moughton for the project. Moughton, over the years, prepared plans for many of Sanford's buildings, including the Great Atlantic & Pacific Store, Sanford City Hall, Sanford Public Library, Sanford Armory, Sanford Fire Station, Seminole County Jail, Seminole County Home and Seminole Memorial Hospital. Other projects consisted of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Congregational Christian Church, First Christian Church, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Sanford's Masonic Temple and Hotel Forrest Lake.

Performance Schedule
Shows and times vary. Call (407) 321-8111 for more information.

Pricing
Ticket prices vary. Call (407) 321-8111 for more information.