New York City
For many years, the oldest and most prestigious theater in New York, the Empire was built by Al Hayman and Charles Frohman in 1893. Located in the theater district directly across from the Metropolitan Opera House it focused on producing American plays. The theater's interior was lavishly decorated and the lobby was adorned with portraits of its many stars. Dreiser mentioned it in chapter 38. "At the Empire theater [Carrie] found a hive of peculiarly listless and indifferent individuals. Everything ornately upholstered, everything carefully finished, everything remarkably reserved."
First known as the Fifth Avenue theater prior to the 1873, was renovated by Steel MacKaye and opened the Madison Square in 1879. MacKaye redesigned the theater and included several innovative features including a moving stage for quick scene changes and a primitive air conditioning system. Known for its beautiful interior, the theater was demolished in 1939. Dreiser mentioned it in chapter 37. "[Carrie] decided to stop in at the Madison Square Theater and ask how to find the theatrical agents. This seemed the sinsible way."
The first American theater built specifically for musicals, the Casino opened on October 12, 1882 at Broadway and 39th Street. Owner Rudolph Aronson envisioned it as a multipurpose structure that would include a roof garden, restaurants and gambling. The Casino was famous for its beautiful chorus line, of which Carrie becomes a part in chapter 38. The Casino Theater was demolished in 1930. "When Carrie renewed her search...going to the Casino, she found that in the opera chorus...employment is difficult to secure."
Further Reading on Casino Theater:
http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-lost-1882-casino-theatre-39th.html
The Lyceum Theatre was a theatre in New York City located in manhattan on Fourth Ave between 23rd and 24th street. Dreiser refers to it in chapter 38. "At the Lyceum she entered one of those secluded, under-stairway closets, berugged and bepaneled, which causes one to feel the greatness of all positions of authority." It was built in 1885 by Steele MacKaye, it was demolished in 1902. The Lyceum was the first theater to use electric lighting throughout the theater.
Playwright, producer and theater owner, Augustin Daly opened Daly's in 1879. It is known as "one of the most distinguished theaters in the history of American stage." Daly wrote and produced Under the Gaslight in 1867. Gaslight was the first play in which Carrie appeared, while living in Chicago. She later attempted to find stage work at Daly's Theater in New York. Dreiser recalled Daly's Theater in chapter 38. "Mr. Daly saw no one save by appointment. Carrie waited an hour..to learn this fact."