|  The
Panamanian theater as an artistic expression of our country
has been a disinterested aspect for many years. We must mention
the importance the National Theater has for
the contemporaneous theatrical activity of Panama. During
1904, our first National Convention, presided by Pablo Arosemena,
issued Law 52, whereby it was ordered the construction of
said building under the Government of the First President,
Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero. Built on what used to be the convent
and church of the nuns of the Conception during the colonial
period, the National Theater was inaugurated on October 1st,
1908, with the inauguration of Don Jose Domingo de Obaldía
as President of the Republic. Until 1974, when the National
Institute of Culture is created by means of Law 63 of
June 6 of said year, the National Theater is re-inaugurated
giving a new spirit to the Panamanian histrionic art, having
remarkably developed during the last three decades. The paintings
in the ceiling are work of the famous Panamanian painter,
Roberto Lewis.
 With
the history of the National Theater we can refer to the works
of those who could be considered the founders of the theater
in Panama. Among them, we can mention some who with their
effort contributed to make the road for the following generation
of dramatists, directors and actors such as: Rogelio Sinán,
Anita Villaláz, Miguel Moreno, José A. Díaz
and José Avila, to mention some.
 Panama
also has another very important theater, Teatro Balboa.
It was built by the Panama Canal Company and inaugurated in
1950, in order to be used by the residents of the Balboa area
as center for entertainment, movies, artistic live shows,
etc. As of 1980, it was managed by the National
Institute of Culture (INAC, in Spanish). This majestic
theater has a capacity of 1,165 seats, 616 in the orchestra
floor and 549 in rows of seats. Its construction is of ART
DECO type, unique in Panama. At the present time, the restoration
work of the theater is being defined and shall be performed
jointly by the INAC and contributions from private entities.
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