The building was designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick of Fort Worth and incorporated large cut sandstone blocks, marble, and columns in an Assyrian architecture-style.

[1] The old middle eastern architecture style is a sign of the late 1920s, which was prominent at the time, thanks in part to the discovery of King Tut's tomb a few years earlier.

[2] Planning for the theater began in 1927; and it opened on December 5, 1929, featuring Vaudeville performers and filmed movie productions.

[1] Through the years, the theater eventually focused on just showing movies, and the original Yucca closed for good in 1974.

[3] Professional crews were brought in to make a few additions, which included a tiered floor for the cabaret seating, as well as technology updates.

[6] In the early years productions were presented in various locations, including VFW halls and theatre center, the former home of MCT.

[citation needed] These include: The moviola is a short, silent film, sped up significantly, and is shot entirely in black and white.

[citation needed] The moviola, which relies on sight gags and cameos from local celebrities, uses title cards for dialogue and to announce intermission.

During several parts of the melodrama, a movie screen drops down and shows moviola footage to advance the storyline and give the actors time to take a break.