Written by Laurie Hileman

December Issue, 2010

As a young girl, Julie Nunn went to Saginaw’s Temple Theatre to see My Fair Lady on her very first daddy-daughter date. She remembers wearing little white gloves, holding her father’s hand, crossing Washington Avenue, and seeing the marquee ablaze in lights.

“It was magical,” says Nunn.

For Nunn and thousands of others, the Temple Theatre holds a special place in their hearts, a place where memories are created and cherished. Today, Nunn is the executive director of the Temple Theatre and Temple Theatre Foundation, a recently established nonprofit aimed at preserving the historic structure and creating a hub for arts organizations throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.

The 83-year-old theater is a regional treasure. In 2002, it was fully restored to its original beauty and glamour, while at the same time incorporating state-of-the-art staging needs and modern conveniences. The $9 million renovation was funded and carefully managed by the Shaheen family. They were intent on preserving its history and offering the community a versatile venue.

“We are thrilled—just as so many others are—to have something like this as part of our community. There is nothing like it in the state,” says Dr. Samuel Shaheen.

Read more from Great Lakes Bay Magazine.