State Theatre Foundation Launches Historic Renovation, Selects Christman as Construction Manager

Long-Envisioned Center for the Arts to Break Ground in Early Fall 2008

 

 

Culpeper, Virginia, August 11, 2008:  The State Theatre Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the selection of The Christman Company of Alexandria, Virginia as construction management partner for the upcoming renovation and addition to the historic State Theatre in Culpeper. The $10 million project, slated to get underway in Fall 2008, will play a major role in the mission of the Foundation to provide a center for the arts in Culpeper and surrounding counties. Christman will join a team that includes the Foundation as well as the architecture firm of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company of Norfolk, Virginia.

 

The project calls for the exterior of the historic, Art Deco style structure to be restored to its original appearance and condition, including refinishing the front portions of the façade with a new stucco finish. An 18,000 square foot addition will enable the facility to house a variety of performances, including music, drama, dance, opera, speech, comedy, live music and movies.

 

“We are extremely excited about working with the nationally-renowned Christman Historic Preservation Group to bring our team’s vision of a cultural center for our area to reality, “ said Raven Yates, Executive Director of the State Theatre Foundation. “Christman’s expertise and reputation in historic renovations of this type made them a perfect choice as our partner for this challenging project. We know from their previous work on similar projects, including the recent Virginia Capitol Restoration, that they will bring together the right skilled trades people and artisans to work sensitively with a historic structure such as this in bringing it back to life.”

 

The State Theatre has been placed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.  Said Board member Bruce Clark, “Recognizing that more funding is still needed, we are confident that the contributions and commitments we now have in hand are sufficient to let us go forward.  These are difficult economic times for all projects relying on private contributions, but one mark of a truly great society is its willingness to strive for the public good notwithstanding difficult economic challenges.”

Other aspects of the project call for enhanced back-of-house facilities, with the addition of new dressing rooms of various sizes, a performer’s lounge, loading and receiving areas, and ample storage space for theatre equipment. The existing basement under the stage will be expanded to include an orchestra pit and large dressing rooms, as well as space for crew, wardrobe maintenance and piano storage. Because the original stage house was limited in size due to its primary use as a movie theatre, this portion of the structure will be demolished and replaced with a full fly tower and wing space. Approximately 11,000 square feet of existing space will be renovated, yielding a finished building of nearly 30,000 square feet.

 

The theatre was constructed in 1938 as a vaudeville movie house originally called the Pitts Theatre, named after Senator Benjamin Pitts, who constructed numerous theatres across Virginia. Of the thirty theatres that Senator Pitts built in the Commonwealth of Virginia, this will be the only one still in use as a theatre. The Pitts family leased the theatre to R/C Cinemas in 1973, and it was renamed The State Theatre. For nearly fifty-five years, the theatre served as Culpeper’s primary movie theatre. The Theatre closed in 1993 when it was sold to The Finders, a group led by Culpeper native Marion Pettie. Under ownership of The Finders, the theatre was not open to the public. During those years, no significant repairs or improvements were made to the building. After the death of Mr. Pettie, the theatre was sold to local businessman and philanthropist Greg Yates.  Mr. Yates purchased the 11,000 square foot building in 2004 in an effort to save the State Theatre from demolition or renovation into office/retail space.  In February of 2006, Mr. and Mrs. Yates donated the property to the State Theatre Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation.

 

The State Theatre Foundation, Inc. was formed in 2004 with the mission to develop and lead a cultural center for the arts in Culpeper, Virginia, that will benefit the entire North Central Virginia region. The State Theatre is a cornerstone of that vision, intended to serve as a venue for collaborative events with other organizations, and as a catalyst to bring cultural and performing arts to the community. The State Theatre Foundation, Inc. is currently managed by an eleven member volunteer Board of Directors and an Executive Director.  The Board presently consists of Greg Yates, Chairman; Tad Loving, Vice Chairman; Nancy Garrett, Secretary; Gary Lee, Treasurer; David Albee; Bruce Clark; Miriam Halsey; Chris Hamilton; Quintin Mullins; Mike Nelms; Liz Yates; and Raven Yates serves as Executive Director. 

 

 

The Christman Company is a full-service construction services firm, offering construction management, general contracting, design/build, real estate development, and facilities consulting services. Founded in 1894, Christman is currently ranked in the Engineering News-Record ENR 100 list of top construction management at-risk firms. Christman is presently managing a wide range of construction projects in the preservation, institutional, healthcare, educational, healthcare and other market sectors.  Christman preservation projects include the Virginia Capitol, the Michigan State Capitol, the “Golden Dome” administration building at Notre Dame University, Richmond Center Stage historic theatre, Georgia College & State University’s Black Box Theatre and book store historic restoration, the headquarters exterior restoration for National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the US Capitol West Egress Door and Stair Renovation, the Lincoln Cottage and Visitor Education Center historic renovation for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and many others. For more information about Christman, visit www.christmanco.com.

 

Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company, architecture and planning, is leading the theatre's restoration. The firm specializes in historic preservation, including historic theaters, and work on college campuses. Hanbury Evans is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia.

 

“We are extremely fortunate to be in such a generous community that has supported the State Theatre Foundation restoration.  This Theatre belongs to everyone in the region and will be a cultural and economic source for years to come.  We look forward to raising the curtain for our first performance,” said Greg Yates, Board Chairman.