When the historic theatre first opened on December 26, 1921, it was called Reade’s State Theatre. Designed by architect Thomas Lamb, the theatre in the heart of downtown New Brunswick was originally built to house performances for motion pictures and live stage productions.
New Jersey State Theatre Opens For The First Time
At its opening, the theatre was one of the area’s largest arts facilities. Residents could travel downtown and catch an afternoon matinee for less than 50 cents. White Oak, a silent movie, was the first showing at State Theatre. A live orchestra provided additional entertainment for the audience on that wintry day more than 70 years ago. If that was not enough, a tenor took the stage and sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”
The facility offered five vaudeville acts and a nature film. A third movie clip was also shown at the December 26, 1921 opening. The Daily Home News is one of the newspapers that carried the story about the new theatre. Over the years management teams for State Theatre have changed. At one point Benjamin Franklin Keith and Edward Franklin Albee operated the facility.
In 1928 State Theatre went under the combined management of Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and Benjamin Franklin Keith and Edward Franklin Albee. Financial success for State Theatre continued for the next 30 years, until the 1960s when large multiplex theatres started to become popular.
Hard Times Come to New Jersey Art
Mounting financial challenges pressured RCA to sell State Theatre to the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DevCo) in 1979. Nine years later, State Theatre was sold to New Brunswick Cultural Center. Change yet in the air, the theatre was reopened on April 24, 1988 after several years of decline. At its lowest point, the facility showed adult movies.
December 2003 management dedicated three million dollars to restore the theatre. Nearly a year later in October 2004, the newly restored State Theatre opened for a third time. Local and statewide cultural events like the New Jersey Blues and Jazz Festival and the Urban Arts Festival have since been held at State Theatre.
Orchestras, Broadway musicals as well as a broad genre of musical groups and solo artists have entertained audiences at the theatre. Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Jay Leno, Evelyn Glennie and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra are some of the legendary artists who have appeared at New Jersey’s State Theatre.
State Theatre Turns a Corner
According to the theatre’s official website, each year nearly 300,000 people attend one of the many performances scheduled at the facility. October 17, 2009 playwright, director and producer, Shelly Garrett, brought his hit live stage play Beauty Shop to State Theatre.
Because the stage is situated close to the auditorium’s front rows, audience members can feel connected to the performers. Music concerts are intimate and deeply felt. Other special events hosted at the State Theatre include Young Professionals Night Out and Sneak Peek.
Young Professionals Night Out is a venue where area professionals can meet and greet one another. The networking event is highlighted with live entertainment. Sneak Peek is put on by the theatre’s educational department. Students get to tour the theatre, ask guides questions and enjoy performances by special guests.
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