New State Theatre expansion lights up downtown Modesto. What’s next for historic venue?
The lights came on Wednesday night for downtown Modesto’s historic State Theatre’s next chapter.
The nearly 90-year-old theater celebrated the lighting of its new, extended marquee to a crowd of cheering community members and supporters. The new overhang and lighted signs now seamlessly cover the original theater, its new next-door microtheater, The Jewel, and its upcoming reception and workshop space and intermission area.
In May 2022, the State Theatre board of directors leased the space at 13th and J streets to expand its property to the end of the block. Crews have been working since then to renovate the former longtime Money Mart into a new community gathering space.
The new 1,550-square-foot Intermission area connects with the State’s other more recent new addition, The Jewel. Opened in late 2019, the tiny 25-seat theater has expanded the indie movie house and live performance venue’s offerings. Once completed, patrons will be able to walk through from the Intermission area to the main theater.
The ceremonial lighting did not mark the end of construction on the new space. State Theatre board President Sam Pierstorff said work is about 60% completed. The project still is soliciting donations from the community to finish renovations.
The inside of the Intermission area is being converted into a lounge space that can hold State Theatre events, private parties, community workshops, the theater’s planned film school and more. The interior, which had been set up for a check-cashing and payday loan business since the mid-1980s, is being transformed with plenty of Art Deco touches to match the original 550-seat theater, which opened on Christmas Day 1934.
The remaining work, which is largely interior, includes hanging wallpaper, putting up movie poster decor, installing a projector and screen, putting in banquettes and more. Pierstorff estimates it will take about another month before the space is finished.
“When so many old theaters are closing, we have been able to expand with the support of our community. That’s quite a rarity and a testament to the great people of Modesto who value our past and who are excited about our future!” Pierstorff said in a text message.
For more information on Intermission or the State Theatre, call 209-527-4697 or visit thestate.org.
This story was originally published June 29, 2023 at 5:00 PM.
