Scoring the silent screen

For over 30 years, silent films were a major attraction at theaters. But in the 1920s “talkies” were born, making silent films obsolete. Despite that, its visual storytelling and compositional techniques shaped the work of "talkie" films since. 

The Senate Theater aims to honor that history by bringing the silent film era experience to Detroit.

Dennis Scott, a long-time theater organist and composer joined the show alongside historian and organist John Lauter. Scott will compose for a screening of the silent film “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” live at the Senate Theater. He will also host a hands-on workshop for anyone interested in learning how to play the organ. 

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