[3] Reflecting this national trend was Kalamazoo, a rising city during the twenties; due to the rapid increase in population it began to develop a need for a prominent theatre.

The Kalamazoo State is an atmospheric theatre, employing a lit blue ceiling that evokes the night sky.

The ceiling is painted dark blue with twinkling electric stars, and moving clouds which are projected across it to create an outdoor atmosphere.

The auditorium, lobby, and mezzanine are decorated in a Mediterranean color scheme with pottery, furniture, wrought iron, statues, and paintings.

The smaller palaces, such as the Kalamazoo State Theatre, would have had a chamber group or pipe organ.

This was a great improvement from the small town and second run houses which would typically only offer a piano player.

Due to age-induced damage, the original 45-foot vertical sign on the corner was replaced with a horizontal marquee over the box-office.

Local arts groups and city officials formed the "Save the State" committee in an effort to preserve the theatre's legacy along with the building.

After years of uncertainty, Kalamazoo's State Theatre has survived to attract a wide variety of performers.