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State Theatre on Congress Avenue in Austin
Apr 14, 2021
State Theatre on Congress Avenue
Architecture: Clayton Korte
Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Built on Congress Avenue next door to the Paramount, Austin?s original performing arts venue, State Theatre opened as a movie palace on Christmas Day in 1935. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the theatre flourished before falling on hard times due to changes in the film distribution industry. In 2000, State Theatre officially merged with the Paramount and formed the Austin Theatre Alliance. Two formerly distinct operational and business models combined the best of both to become one of Austin?s most treasured performing arts resources that produces a range of drama, comedy, music, dance, and spoken-word events. With approximately 300 seats, State Theatre is a genuine downtown Austin venue beloved by performers, patrons, and staff for its approachability, diversity of programs and intimate atmosphere.
The development of a hotel project immediately next door to the theatre prompted a major renovation of the State Theatre and the first significant rehabilitation of the Paramount Theatre since 1979. According to leadership, the singular purpose of the renovation is to give the State Theatre a true reason for its existence; the theatre will serve as an incubator for future Paramount performers and be the entry point for audience segments not yet mean...