The Empress Theatre opened in 1916 originally as a Burlesque show for the local miners at Kennecott. In 1917 it began showing silent movies. The theater remained open as a movie theater through at least 1930. Stephen Barker, a historian-writer, purchased the Empress Theatre and Gem Theatre, and in 1978 began renovating them as part of a Magna City restoration project. Barker hoped to reopen the Empress Theatre for live performances and art films in January or February 1979, but apparently his plans never came to fruition. In 2006 the Oquirrh Hills Performing Arts Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing culture and education to the Magna community and surrounding areas, leased the Empress Theatre building and continues renovation of the historic structure. The theatre reopened on 4 November 2006 with “Forever Plaid,” a traditional favorite.