History of the Royal
The Royal Theatre was originally built in 1920 as the IMP (Independent Motion Pictures) and remodeled and enlarged in 1948-1949. The Royal Theatre’s most notable features – the neon-trimmed marquee and the vertical Royal sign – came from the theater in Little Rock that was remodeled as the Center Theater (which is no longer standing). The Royal operated as a movie theater for many years under the ownership of three generations of the Kauffman family. It was sold to Jerry Van Dyke in the early 1990s. Van Dyke, possibly best known as Luther on the TV show “Coach,” ran movies, as well as talent shows and events in the building.
During that time, Van Dyke had a theater troupe. Another community theatre organization had been formed in 1994: Central Arkansas Community Players (CACP). The founders were Bob Carson, Gayla McCoy, Ray Baxter, and Fred Wingfield. When Jerry Van Dyke moved away at the end of 2000, he left the building to CACP. CACP renamed itself the Royal Players, Inc. The Royal Players have been performing in the Royal Theatre ever since. In 2002, a youth division was created by Tucker Steinmetz, Jeremy Ricketson, John Thompson, and Daphne Shoppach. The Young Players group has grown from about twelve students to well over 100. It is presently divided into three age groups and offers workshops and performances. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and is an integral part of the Benton historic district. In 2026, the outside of the building received a remodel with new paint and the historic marquee being refurbished. There are plans to revitalize the inside of the building as well. The Royal Players are committed to keeping the art deco style, while updating the stage, electrical, sound, and other production essentials.
During that time, Van Dyke had a theater troupe. Another community theatre organization had been formed in 1994: Central Arkansas Community Players (CACP). The founders were Bob Carson, Gayla McCoy, Ray Baxter, and Fred Wingfield. When Jerry Van Dyke moved away at the end of 2000, he left the building to CACP. CACP renamed itself the Royal Players, Inc. The Royal Players have been performing in the Royal Theatre ever since. In 2002, a youth division was created by Tucker Steinmetz, Jeremy Ricketson, John Thompson, and Daphne Shoppach. The Young Players group has grown from about twelve students to well over 100. It is presently divided into three age groups and offers workshops and performances. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and is an integral part of the Benton historic district. In 2026, the outside of the building received a remodel with new paint and the historic marquee being refurbished. There are plans to revitalize the inside of the building as well. The Royal Players are committed to keeping the art deco style, while updating the stage, electrical, sound, and other production essentials.
