The State Theatre - City State Arts

The State is a community-owned theatre dedicated to serving the Centre County region. We?re a mainstay of the State College community and a proud hub of local culture, featuring artists both homegrown and nationally renowned.

There?s something for everyone at The State, from high drama to children?s musicals, from rock ?n? roll to live broadcasts of the Met. There?s rarely a day without a show to be seen, a concert to be heard, or a laugh to be had.

Our Vision

The State Theatre is the creative soul of the Centre region arts scene.

Our Mission

The State Theatre is your community-owned nonprofit venue for artists and audiences to experience, appreciate and embrace the transformational power of the performing arts. We are committed to presenting a variety of excellent local and national music, theatre, dance, comedy, and film programming.

Our Promise

As a community-owned performing arts center, we strive for a multi-dimensional impact:

A Vibrant Cultural Hub

We will enrich the community?s cultural opportunities with diverse local and regional performances, national touring acts, international headliners and independent, classic and foreign films. We will generate a tradition of arts entertainment, understanding and enjoyment for succeeding generations in the Centre region and beyond.

A Place to Learn and Grow

We will foster art education and participation for a multitude of the Centre region?s unique populations, whether university students, retirees, children or families. We will nurture emerging and established artists and their visions.

A Committed Partner for Charity and Development

We will build cooperation between organizations, artists, producers and educators. We will help to revitalize and grow a thriving downtown scene, one that benefits our neighbors and is enjoyed by all members of our community. We will work together with local organizations, non-profs and charitable causes to fundraise, foster partnerships, and engage the public.

Our History

Flicks for 35 cents

On October 15th, 1938, Warner Brothers opened The State Theatre as a test market for new films. The state-of-the-art cinema was built in record-time ? just four months ? for a whopping $70,000. It offered patrons four different flicks each week. General admission was 30 cents for matinees, 35 cents after 5pm, and children?s tickets cost just 15 pennies.

Unfortunately, as the years progressed, the theatre lost its glamour. Gone was the lush theatre with its silk wall fabrics and sweeping balcony, and gone was its place in the community. Doors closed in 2001, indicating the end of an era, and very possibly, the end of The State.

Save The State!

Thankfully, by 1999, some dedicated community members had already envisioned a new life for the dilapidated theatre: an arts performance center, owned and operated by the community. Local groups would have a home stage, and citizens would be able to enjoy diverse music and theatre in an intimate setting. The State Theatre had the potential to revitalize the downtown, expose a range of people to artists both national and international, and bring additional income into the community.

An enthusiastic local contingent threw their weight behind the revival, hosting events, selling pavers and touting the case of The State. Owners Sidney and Helen Friedman, themselves patrons of The State since 1939, generously gave both the theatre and a monetary gift to the community and renovations began. The reconstruction unearthed many lovely architectural elements that were subsequently preserved. The lush glory of The State?s former life was renewed, and State College regained its historic gem.

Curtain Up

With renovations finally completed, the theatre opened to a performance by Grammy-award winner and former PSU football player Mike Reid. The sold-out opening night crowd included Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Jake Corman and Mayor Bill Welch. The proud Friedmans also sat in the audience, flanked by their two sons, family and a number of friends. The performance was electric, fed by an audience thrilled with the new cultural cornerstone of the community.

The State Today

Today The State is a vibrant hub of music, cinema, and live performance ? the cultural heart of downtown State College and the Centre County region. Thanks to the ongoing support of our generous donors and patrons, we provide a state-of-the-art home for local artists and performance groups, a popular stop for quality national acts, and a place of community for locals, students, and visitors alike. The State depends on people like you to keep its curtain up. We hope you?ll consider giving, or even just stopping by for a show today.

To find out more, visit TheStateTheatre.org.

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Source: http://www.citystatearts.com/the-state-theatre/

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