The Lafayette Theatre was a 1,500-seat two-story theater built by banker Meyer Jarmulowsky that opened in November, 1912.

Arts critic, producer and Broadway composer Lester Walton worked as manager and dramatic lyricist for the theater from 1914 to 1916 and from 1919 to 1921.

[5] Ellington and his orchestra also appeared at the Lafayette in October 1927 with the singer Adelaide Hall in the show Jazz Mania.

[7] Other jazz musicians who performed at the Lafayette include Fletcher Henderson, Bennie Moten, Chick Webb, and Zutty Singleton.

[5] Harlem Renaissance playwright Eulalie Spence's play On Being Forty premiered at the Lafayette Theatre on October 15, 1924.

The overture was by James P. Johnson and such notable actors as Canada Lee and Rose McClendon were part of the program.