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The theatre opened in 1907 with an auditorium designed around a balcony without vertical supports. Its history also includes a second balcony used during racial segregation—context for a monthly tour that connects the building’s past with stage and backstage operations.
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
The Moore’s unsupported balcony is one clue to how its original design shaped the theatre. On the free monthly tour, volunteer guides discuss the technical workings of the stage and backstage operations alongside the history of the lobby and building. The next confirmed tour date in this listing is November 14, 2026.
Seattle developer James A. Moore built the theatre and adjoining hotel as the city was changing. Designed by Edwin W. Houghton, the Moore opened in 1907 and was first leased and managed by John Cort. STG’s history says the development was intended in part to draw visitors coming to Seattle for the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
The original auditorium held 2,436 people. Its balcony was designed without vertical supports; gently sloping ramps led to the second level. The theatre also had an orchestra pit, but no pipe organ. STG describes the original interior as finished with materials and details including onyx, marble, stained glass and mosaic floors. These features offer a useful architectural frame for a tour that also looks at how a theatre functions.
Further reading: Moore Theatre History - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
The Moore was the original home of both the Seattle Symphony and the Seattle International Film Festival. Its use also extended to art exhibitions, speakers, rallies, graduations and boxing. STG’s history records minstrel shows among the theatre’s past productions, too—a reminder that a history of public entertainment is not automatically an uncomplicated one.
STG also documents that the second balcony, which had a separate side entrance, was used during the period of racial segregation. That history belongs in any account of the building’s civic role, but it is not a confirmed stop or subject on this tour: the event listing describes the tour’s history component broadly and does not specify which chapters volunteer guides will cover.
Further reading: Moore Theatre History - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Free Moore Tour - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
The building’s fortunes shifted over time. STG says the Moore’s physical condition had deteriorated by 1974, and that the arrival of the Seattle International Film Festival in 1976 gave it a renewed purpose. The Seattle Landmark Association, later named Seattle Theatre Group, leased the theatre in 1994. In December 2007, the Moore marked its centennial with an open house and public events.
A two-month renovation in 2013 upgraded 1,800 seats, brought the auditorium and lobby closer to their original colors, improved the heating system and added a curtain able to suit more intimate productions. STG describes the Moore as Seattle’s oldest operating theatre and as a current hub for its education and community programs. That ongoing use makes the tour’s combination of historic-building context and theatre operations especially relevant.
Further reading: Moore Theatre History - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
STG describes a single monthly tour linking the technical workings of the stage and backstage operations with the history of the lobby and theatre building. The listing does not name particular rooms or guarantee access to any specific backstage space.
The confirmed tour runs from 10 a.m. to noon. STG lists Moore tours on the second Saturday of each month.
Free Moore Tour - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Theatre Tours - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
STG lists the tour as free and provides a reservation option. The event listing does not say whether booking is required or specify reservation conditions.
STG says student-group tours for ages 7 and up may be scheduled on request. Its event listing directs interested groups to contact Student Tours for more information. No age policy is stated for the monthly public tour.
STG says The Moore has no elevators or ADA parking. Its venue-wide FAQ says all STG theatres have an ADA-accessible restroom. The tour listing does not describe access along the route, so contact STG to discuss specific needs and confirm what can be arranged. STG asks that accessibility-service requests be made as far in advance as possible, at least two business days before the event.
Accessibility Services - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · FAQ - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Free Moore Tour - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
Meet outside the main entrance by 10 a.m. The Moore is at 1932 Second Avenue, on the corner of Second Avenue and Virginia Street, two blocks north of Pike Place Market.
Free Moore Tour - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Moore Directions & Parking - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
STG says the theatre is within walking distance of many major bus stops and points riders to King County Metro’s trip planner for a route from their starting point. Its driving directions use the Seneca Street exit from northbound I-5, the Stewart Street exit from southbound I-5 and the Madison Street exit from westbound I-90, with each route continuing toward Second Avenue and Virginia Street.
The Moore does not have its own parking lot. STG lists paid lots and metered street parking in the area; rates and availability for the tour date are not specified. A passenger loading zone is in front of the theatre’s main doors on Second Avenue.
STG says The Moore has no elevators or ADA parking and identifies the Second Avenue loading zone for passenger drop-off. Its FAQ says all STG theatres have an ADA-accessible restroom. The tour listing does not describe route access, so contact STG about specific needs and confirm what can be arranged; STG asks that accessibility-service requests be made as far in advance as possible, at least two business days before the event. The accessibility page lists 206-682-1414, press 5, and [email protected].
Accessibility Services - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · FAQ - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Moore Directions & Parking - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Free Moore Tour - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon. STG lists Moore tours on the second Saturday of each month.
Free Moore Tour - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Theatre Tours - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
The tour is free, and STG provides a reservation option. The listing does not say whether booking is required or give reservation conditions.
Volunteer staff lead a tour of approximately 120 minutes covering the technical workings of the stage, backstage operations, and the history of the lobby and building. No specific route or room access is promised.
The public monthly tour has no stated age policy. Separate student-group tours for ages 7 and up may be scheduled on request.
STG says The Moore has no elevators or ADA parking; its FAQ says all STG theatres have an ADA-accessible restroom. The tour route’s access conditions are not described. Contact STG about specific needs, ideally at least two business days ahead, and confirm what can be arranged for this tour.
Accessibility Services - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · FAQ - Seattle Theatre Group ↗ · Free Moore Tour - Seattle Theatre Group ↗
1932 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
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Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-01 against the linked sources.