The building was nearly demolished in the 1970s but a restoration effort led by Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre (PET) saved the structure.

Rumors have long surrounded the DeKalb Egyptian about secret messages allegedly hidden in the architecture and as well as ghost hauntings.

The Egyptian's season is cut short by the hot northern Illinois summers; the theatre has no air conditioning.

[2] Many notable performers have appeared at the Egyptian Theatre including Journey with Cheap Trick (from Rockford) (1977), Heart in '77, Violent Femmes (from Milwaukee) in '83, R.E.M.

In January 2019 Executive Director Alex Nerad announced that the theater would undergo a $5.5 million renovation, including adding air-conditioning to protect the historical integrity of the building and alterations to meet the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The architect, Elmer F. Behrns, himself interested in Egyptology, designed the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb to have one central theme.

[7] The exterior facade is covered in a light sage terra cotta and exhibits a 20-foot (6.1 m) tall stained glass window, which bears the ancient scarab symbol.

To each side of the stained glass window, the building's facade holds two huge pharaohs, meant to "guard" over the theatre entrance.

The walls of the outer lobby are built from huge unadorned blocks with a faux sandstone surface.

The front of the ticket box office is decorated in a dusky sienna red with a golden sunburst emblazoned above the window.

[7] The walls of the main lobby are cream-colored plaster, surrounded by eight pillars and cornices adorned with golden lotus blossoms and palm leaves.

They are crowned by a gilded design incorporating outstretched falcon wings and the disc of the sun entwined with golden serpents.

[7] While the stage is a decent size, at 35 feet (10.7 m) across, the backstage space is very small because of its original use as a vaudeville theatre.

Bob has been seen throughout the building; objects have moved on their own, doors have opened on their own, and people have felt a tap on their shoulder when no one else is around.