The Nile Theater has a long history of bringing productions and artists to Bakersfield – from vaudeville shows to blockbuster films. Originally opened as the Bakersfield Opera House in 1906, Fox West Coast Theatres completely rebuilt it in 1938, with the exterior still visible today. Thanks to a gift from Cynthia Lake, The Fox Theater Foundation purchased the theater in 2023 and plans to restore it and operate it as a performance and event venue.