State Theatre (New Brunswick, New Jersey) facts for kids
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 State Theatre New Jersey
Location in New Brunswick, NJ
State Theatre New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
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| Address | 15 Livingston Ave New Brunswick, New Jersey United States |
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| Coordinates | 40°29′36″N 74°26′41″W / 40.493341°N 74.44462°W |
| Public transit | New Brunswick station |
| Capacity | 1,800 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 26, 1921 |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
The State Theatre New Jersey is a special place for shows and performances. It is a nonprofit theater located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This theater can seat 1,850 people. It was designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb in 1921. It is one of the oldest theaters in the state of New Jersey.
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History of the State Theatre
The State Theatre first opened on December 26, 1921. It was built by Thomas W. Lamb and managed by Walter Reade. The theater showed both movies and live performances. On its opening day, it had five vaudeville acts. Vaudeville was a type of show with many different acts, like singing, dancing, and comedy. It also showed a silent western movie called White Oak. The first ticket buyer was nine-year-old Victor Levin. Tickets cost 20 to 30 cents.
Early Management and Changes
The theater was later managed by Benjamin Franklin Keith and Edward Franklin Albee II. They ran the B.F. Keith Theatre chain, which was very big in the 1920s. After Keith passed away, Albee continued running the theater. His company later joined with another large booking agency called Orpheum. Together, they formed Keith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO).
In 1928, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) bought KAO. The company then became known as Radio-Keith-Orpheum, or RKO. Within a year, the theater was updated to play movies with sound.
Modern Updates and Popularity
In 1933, the RKO State Theatre had big changes. It was updated with a new Art Deco style. When talking movies became popular, the theater started showing many new films. This began in 1939.
In the 1950s, the RKO State Theatre started hosting rock 'n' roll shows. Famous artists like The Satins and Chubby Checker performed there. To make the sound better for these shows, the theater was updated again. They added special acoustic tiles.
During the 1970s, the State Theatre continued to host rock 'n' roll shows. It also became very popular for showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Many people came to watch this movie, often dressed in costumes.
Revitalization and Renovation
The State Theatre kept operating into the 1960s. But then, many people started going to larger movie theaters called multiplexes. RKO sold the building, and it began to decline. In 1979, the New Brunswick Development Corporation bought it for $455,000. This was part of a plan to make New Brunswick better.
Bringing the Theatre Back to Life
In 1986, the New Brunswick Cultural Center took over the State Theatre. This group was led by Richard B. Sellars. In 1987, they started a $3 million renovation project. The State Theatre reopened as a performing arts center on April 24, 1988. The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra performed at the reopening.
In December 2003, the theater received $3 million for more inside repairs. This money came from Middlesex County. Workers removed many layers of paint to find the original colors. They fixed the beautiful plaster ceiling. The sound and lighting systems were also improved.
The theater reopened again in October 2004. Comedian Jay Leno performed there. In the summer of 2010, the State Theatre installed a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. This cost $1 million and was paid for by Middlesex County.
The State Theatre Today
Today, State Theatre New Jersey is a very important place for arts in New Brunswick. It hosts many different kinds of shows. These include international orchestras, Broadway shows, comedy, dance, pop, rock, and family events.
Besides main stage performances, the State Theatre also has many education programs. Each year, over 180 programs reach 30,000 students, teachers, and families. These programs include performances, workshops, and special shows for people with sensory needs.
By June 2020, more than six million people had visited the theater. A new blade marquee was put up in the summer of 2021. This was part of big renovations.
Notable Performances and Events
Many famous artists have performed at State Theatre New Jersey. These include Phish, Ringo Starr, Diana Ross, Harry Connick Jr., David Copperfield, Frankie Valli, Bruce Springsteen, George Carlin, Lewis Black, kd lang, John Leguizamo, Tony Bennett, and Aretha Franklin.
The theater has also hosted important international orchestras. Some of these are the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Munich Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
On May 20, 2009, the State Theatre hosted the last performance by Peter, Paul, and Mary. This was their final show together.
On November 14, 2018, the State Theatre New Jersey was featured on a TV show. It was the focus of the second episode of NJTV's Treasures of New Jersey.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1921: The theater opens on December 26. Walter Reade manages it.
- 1922: B.F. Keith Theater chain takes over management.
- 1922-1924: The theater company merges with Orpheum. It becomes Keith-Albee-Orpheum.
- 1933: Major design changes happen, including an RKO Art Deco renovation.
- 1939: RKO letters are added to the outside of the building.
- 1939: With talking movies, the theater becomes popular for showing new films.
- 1950s: The State Theatre starts hosting rock 'n' roll shows.
- 1960s: More people watch television, and fewer go to theaters. The theater's popularity goes down.
- 1970: An investor buys the theater. It starts showing different kinds of movies.
- 1970s: The theater hosts big artists like Meat Loaf, Tina Turner, and Harry Chapin. It also becomes one of the first theaters in New Jersey to show The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Many people came to these late-night showings, often in costume.
- 1979: The New Brunswick Development Corporation buys the property.
- 1983: Johnson & Johnson holds its first meeting outside its own building at the State Theatre.
- 1986: The New Brunswick Cultural Center buys the property.
- 1987: Renovation work begins.
- 1988: The theater reopens on April 24.
- 2003: Another renovation begins in December.
- 2004: The theater reopens in October with a performance by Jay Leno.
- 2010: Middlesex County provides $1 million for a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
- November 14, 2018: State Theatre New Jersey is featured on the second episode of NJTV's Treasures of New Jersey.
- As of June 2020, over six million people have visited the theater.
