The theatre was originally named The Shubert, planned by the New York Shubert Brothers as the New Orleans branch of their nationwide chain of legitimate theatre outlets. Built by Equitable Real Estate Corporation, headed by Emilien Perrin, Sr. When the Shuberts decided to close it, Perrin took it over, renamed it The Lafayette, updated it with new moving picture equipment, projectors and screen. It was built in the then popular arcade style, with a covered walkway in between two retail stores facing Baronne Street, into the auditorium. The name was changed a number of times, from Lafayette to Star, to Poche, then finally to Civic.
The theatre was originally named The Shubert, planned by the New York Shubert Brothers as the New Orleans branch of their nationwide chain of legitimate theatre outlets. Built by Equitable Real Estate Corporation, headed by Emilien Perrin, Sr. When the Shuberts decided to close it, Perrin took it over, renamed it The Lafayette, updated it with new moving picture equipment, projectors and screen. It was built in the then popular arcade style, with a covered walkway in between two retail stores facing Baronne Street, into the auditorium. The name was changed a number of times, from Lafayette to Star, to Poche, then finally to Civic.