Culpeper State Theatre suspends operations

Renovated venue fell short of fundraising goals

The State Theatre Foundation Board of Directors announced Wednesday morning that the theatre has suspended operations effective immediately.

In a letter circulated early Wednesday (Sept. 14), the Board said that all events scheduled after Sept. 12 are cancelled. All tickets purchased for fall events will be refunded.

Reopened in 2013, the State Theatre had sat vacant for almost a decade.

Originally opened as a Pitts Theatre by State Senator Benjamin Pitts in 1938 as a vaudeville movie house, the building featured an art deco facade with a modest interior. Of the 30 Pitts theatres in the state of Virginia, only two are still operational — the State Theatre and The Royal in Front Royal.

The Pitts family leased the theatre to Regal Cinemas in 1973 when it was named the State Theatre. It was in serious disrepair and at one time served as the home of the mysterious “Finders” secret society.

A $9.3 million renovation followed, repairing holes in the ceiling and bringing in seats once used at the Kennedy Center.

The 560-seat live theatre was heralded as an economic development driver in downtown Culpeper, leading to several businesses following in its art deco style.

Now, the future is uncertain for a building once heralded as a local “phoenix,” rising from near ashes.

The board wrote Wednesday:

“It is with great sadness that the State Theatre Foundation Board of Directors announce that we will be suspending our operations of the theatre until further notice...

We had hoped that with the changes in staffing, our new direction of diverse programming, and our community partnerships and educational outreach that we would be able to create renewed interest for the community and the region to provide the contributed income necessary to sustain operations.

Unfortunately, while we saw a trend of positive results, we fell short of our fundraising goals to keep us moving forward...

In the coming months, the State Theatre Foundation Board of Directors will take the appropriate steps to decide how to move forward. We promise to diligently work to decide the best course of action for the facility, the foundation, and the community.”

The State Theatre Board said there would be no further comment at this time.

Last fall, the State Theatre went on a furious effort to raise $400,000 to fund 2016 operations. Earlier this year, it was announced that $250,000 had been raised, enough to keep the establishment open until now.

At the time, executive director Steven Barker said additional revenue streams had been identified and partnerships with local businesses had been formed for co-location in the historic theatre.

During Give Local Piedmont, the State Theatre raised $4,220.

Throughout the summer, the theatre had trimmed its offerings and the fall listings were more limited than previous years.

As news broke Wednesday morning, business leaders expressed their sadness at the uncertain future of the theatre.

“The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce was saddened to learn that the State Theatre was closing,” Culpeper Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Sandy Boone said. “Anytime we lose a business it leaves a hole in the heart of the community and can have an impact on the local economy.”

Culpeper Town Council has helped the theatre acquire tax credits, but was reluctant to put taxpayer money toward the project in the past.

On Wednesday, Mayor Mike Olinger expressed his desire to see the theatre continue but was hesitant to promise financial support.

“It’s a sad day,” Olinger said. “I know folks worked very hard to make it a community asset. I don’t know what the plan is but hopefully they can get some national support to take an interest in it. There’s not much the town can do, we can’t just hand over tax dollars to make it work.”