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State Theater restoration entering construction phase
No movement has been seen at the site for more than 15 years, but soon Culpeper's historic State Theater will be seeing plenty of action.
Perhaps one of the most exciting phases in the revitalization of downtown, construction and renovation to the South Main Street staple will begin in the coming months. State Theater Foundation executive director Raven Yates couldn't be more anxious.
“It’s been a long four years. We’ve done a lot of research and fund raising and events. With everything we do, people are asking when something is going to happen and they will finally see that now,” said Yates. “This is where we’re really going to need the community’s support.”
Currently estimated at $10 million, the project to preserve and improve the State Theater will be dramatic and intensive, increasing the 11,000 square foot building to more than 29,000 square feet.
Construction manager Chris Hamilton has overseen plans for the site including architectural drawings, which are nearing completion. Recently, the foundation started looking for specialized contractors, finding three that will be interviewed in the next 30 days. Once the contractor is selected, the renovation process could start as soon as August.
“In the very near future, you can start to see activity,” said Hamilton. “We’ve been working on this project for four years and now we’re going to start signing checks.”
The State Theater was built in 1938 by Benjamin Pitts, a state senator who opened a number of drive-ins and movie theaters across Virginia. Originally named the Pitts Theater, the building featured art deco designs and was one of the only buildings in town at the time to have air conditioning.
In 1973, Pitts leased the building to Regal Cinemas, when it was renamed the State Theater. It served as Culpeper’s primary movie theater for more than 55 years before closing in 1993.
Bringing the theater back to life was the mission of local businessman Greg Yates when he purchased the building in 2004, shortly after handing over ownership to the non-profit State Theater Foundation. Providing the community with a cultural center that will attract new businesses and visitors to the town is one of the foundation's main goals today.
“This is sort of the missing piece that a mature town should have, so we’re really optimistic and feel good about what we’re doing here,” said Hamilton.
“It’s been said that for every dollar spent here at the theater, there’s going to be a seven dollar economic benefit to the town, either in additional money spent at other businesses and restaurants or through taxes and employment opportunities here. A lot of folks look at this as an investment.”
Seen as a landmark for the town of Culpeper, the State Theater will be the only art deco building on Main Street. And as of May 15, the building was accepted to the National Registry of History Places.
“It’s going to really transform the town. The dynamics of it will change as a result,” Hamilton said. “We expect to do movies, live theater, concerts, town hall meetings, and community theater. It should be a pretty active place.”
One aspect of the State Theater that will especially make downtown glow is the neon 1930s marquee, which was removed last fall for restoration.
“That’s going to change the look of this whole area completely,” said Yates. “When you drive down Main Street, this is going to be the focal point.”
As for the building itself, the lobby will be expanded from the existing entrance, through the foundation’s office next door and 38 feet into the adjacent parking lot. The lobby will hold a lounge and box office area, as well as administrative offices and historical displays.
Originally, the theater's entrance was segregated so African Americans accessed the box office separately and followed a staircase to an upstairs balcony, concessions area, and restrooms. The upstairs balcony will be renovated to seat 200 people and hold box seating for more costly tickets, with a better view.
“We’ve had people come in and computerized the sight line, so we’re changing the levels in the floors up here for a better view of live performers,” said Yates. Elevators will also be added to the building to access the balcony and projection room.
Last year, the Kennedy Center donated 1,000 seats for the theater, which will be redesigned to the art deco style. Once complete, the below auditorium will accommodate fewer than 600 guests.
“This is the one thing that we have to preserve as much as to when it was built,” said Yates. “We will not change the auditorium.”
The theater’s stage, however, will be expanded tremendously, heightened to 62 feet for a fly tower which will hold props out of the view of the audience.
“We’ve really tried to trim all fat from this project, but in order to attract quality acts to our venue, we have to have certain amenities and features in our venue that will attract those acts. This includes dressing rooms and wardrobe space, those sort of things,” said Hamilton.
Dressing rooms for casts of 40, including locker rooms and restrooms will be added behind the stage. The original basement which contains the old air conditioning system will be renovated into storage space and production area. There will also be a 22-person handicap accessible orchestra pit.
“Everything you need for everyday live theater is what we need to add to it,” said Yates. “It’s going to be a very challenging construction process because it’s not just a restoration; it’s a restoration with state-of-the-art equipment.”
With the State Theater’s new look now closer to reality than ever before, the foundation looks toward its grand opening. Although it’s early to predict, Yates estimates that happening sometime in fall 2009, looking for a week-long celebration of concerts and live plays.
“It’s a year away and we’re almost at the point where we’re going to start booking it,” said Yates. “But I think people are definitely going to want to be there.”
You may contact Hilary Lewis at 825-9882 or email hlewis@timespapers.com
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