The Gem Theater at 1615 E 18th St is a restored 1912 movie palace in Kansas City's 18th & Vine District, now a 500-seat performing arts center run by the American Jazz Museum. It is open to museum-related events and programs.Checked October 30, 2026 against the official pages listed under Sources. Prices, hours and seasons change; confirm on the official site before you go.
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Visit Facts at a Glance
| Address | 1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 |
|---|---|
| Venue type | Theatre |
| Home of | American Jazz Museum events and programs |
| Capacity | 500-seat performing arts center |
| Box office | Not published on the page we read |
| Parking | Street parking is available. Parking lots are also available at 18th and Paseo, 18th and Vine and behind the museum building (ongoing construction may affect parking) |
| Events and tickets | Official events · Official tickets |
| Hours | As printed when we read it on October 30, 2026: All week 10am – 10pm |
| Admission | Not published on the page we read |
| Dogs | Service animals are welcome in the Museum (museum FAQ) |
| Accessibility | Official accessibility page |
| Official site | Gem Theater (Kansas City) (official) |
What to Know
- It was built in 1912 as the Star Theater and renamed the Gem in 1913.
- It served Kansas City's African American community as a silent movie palace.
- Its movie years ended in 1960, and the 1980s revitalization of 18th & Vine led to its restoration.
- The museum says the Gem is strictly open for museum-related events and programs, and is also a venue rental option.
- Street parking and lots at 18th and Paseo, 18th and Vine, and behind the museum are listed; construction may affect parking.
Facts, Each With Its Source
Directions and Location
1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108. Open in Google Maps
Coming Up at Gem Theater (Kansas City)
Nothing on our checked calendar yet. We list only events whose dates an organizer has published. See all Missouri events.
Nearby
- Arrowhead Stadium
- T-Mobile Center
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
- Starlight Theatre
- Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
- Kauffman Stadium
More: Venues, state parks and historic sites, Kansas City Area guide, Kansas City Area events.
What We Could Not Verify
Not confirmed
- A Gem Theater page with its own ticket/box office was not found; shows are tied to museum events.
- The Gem site thegemtheater.com resolves to an unrelated cinema in Bethel, Maine and was NOT used.
- The map pin is approximate, from OpenStreetMap, not a surveyed entrance.
- Photos: none shown; we place a photo only when it is a true match for the page.
Questions People Ask
What does Gem Theater (Kansas City) cost?
The official page we read did not publish a price. Check the official site.
What are the hours at Gem Theater (Kansas City)?
As printed on October 30, 2026: All week 10am – 10pm
Where is Gem Theater (Kansas City)?
1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Sources
- Gem Theater (American Jazz Museum), read October 30, 2026
- Visit the American Jazz Museum, read October 30, 2026
Checked October 30, 2026 by It’s Missouri. Cite this page: Gem Theater (Kansas City), itsmissouri.com (https://itsmissouri.com/venues/gem-theater-kansas-city/), checked 2026-10-30. Free to quote with a link.